Durood Kibreet - e - Ahmar or Ṣalāt al-Kibrīt al-Aḥmar

 بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Among the many salawāt and devotional litanies that the Muslim world has carried from century to century,  Ṣalāt / Durūd al‑Kibrīt al‑Aḥmar —often rendered in English as “the Litany of Red Sulphur”—holds a distinctive place, including in my homeland, Kashmir. In popular circulation it is most commonly ascribed to Shaykh ʿAbd al‑Qādir al‑Jīlānī (470–561 AH / 1077–1166 CE), the Baghdad‑based preacher, jurist, and Sufi master whom later tradition remembers as the founding figure of the Qādirī path. 

The title itself is a clue to how this text has been *heard* by generations of reciters. “Red sulphur” (al‑kibrīt al‑aḥmar) belongs first to the language of alchemy: the red elixir was imagined as the agent that could transmute what is ordinary into something precious. Sufi writers then took that alchemical image and made it interior—speaking of “red sulphur” as a symbol of rare, transformative realization, or even as a name for the spiritually effective presence of a true guide. In that sense, the title reads like an intention statement: this is not merely a “nice formula,” but a ṣalāt meant to leave the heart different from how it began.  

 

In English, “prayer” and “blessing” often do not capture the full semantic range of صَلَاة (ṣalāh) and صَلَوَات (ṣalawāt), especially when they refer to ṣalāt ʿalā al-nabī (sending ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ). Classical scholars explained that the meaning changes depending on the subject:

• From Allah : praise, exaltation, mercy, and honoring in the higher realm
• From angels : supplication for mercy
• From believers : invocation asking Allah to honor and exalt the Prophet ﷺ

Formally, al‑Kibrīt al‑Aḥmar is not a poem like the Burdah; it is a majestic, extended ṣalāt—a flowing invocation that opens with the famous rise of praise: “Allāhumma ijʿal afḍala ṣalawātika…” and then unfolds as a vast garland of Prophetic epithets. It speaks in the devotional “cosmology” that salawāt literature knows well: the Prophet ﷺ as mercy, as guidance, as the one through whom meanings become visible; it moves through luminous names and titles, and it does not shy away from recounting the signs and miracles that the tradition associates with him—before concluding, as many such litanies do, with ṣalawāt upon his family and companions and with Qur’anic doxology.  

Because it is so widely loved, the question of attribution deserves to be handled with both respect and accuracy. A great deal of modern devotional publishing (print and online) simply presents it as the ṣalawāt of al‑Jīlānī, and that “practical attribution” is now part of how many communities have received it.   At the same time, some compendia that catalogue famous ṣalawāt record a more layered transmission history for the long formula beginning *“Allāhumma ijʿal afḍala ṣalawātika…”*: it is mentioned as being ascribed by some to al‑Ghazālī or to the Ghawth (al‑Jīlānī), while also being identified there as belonging to al‑Qutb ʿAbd Allāh al‑ʿAbdūsī, with the note that al‑Ghazālī transmitted it from him.  A related discussion also appears in large anthology traditions preserved in digitized form, where this same opening is treated as a known, discussed formula rather than a single‑line certainty.  

A digitized Dalāʾil al-khayrāt manuscript record (Deccan/India; dated late 12th AH / 18th c. CE) lists appended prayers and explicitly notes:

• a “Durūd Ḥaḍrat Ghawth al-Aʿẓam (= ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Kīlānī)” with an incipit matching “اللهم اجعل أفضل صلواتك…”, and
• separately, a “Durūd Kibrīt al-Aḥmar” whose incipit is given as “الحمد لله الذي أذهب عنا الحزن”.

That tells you two things: (i) these durūd texts were being copied in India by that period, and (ii) titles/incipits can be assigned differently across manuscripts and later prints.

What makes al‑Kibrīt al‑Aḥmar endure, in my view, is not only its reputation, but its *craft*. It is built to do something to the reciter: the sheer abundance of names is not decorative; it trains attention. Recited slowly, it becomes a guided act of witnessing—moving from tongue to meaning, from meaning to presence, from presence to love and love to devotional obedience. And the boldness of its imagery (so characteristic of later salawāt writing) is doing a serious  job: it keeps insisting that praising the Prophet ﷺ is not an aesthetic hobby, but a way of remembering what matters most—mercy, guidance, gratitude, and the hope of nearness to God through sending blessings upon His beloved ﷺ.

In that sense, this ṣalāt is a “literature,” that is a lived practice: a text people keep close for days of heaviness and days of joy, for private wird and communal gatherings, for a faith that wants words big enough to carry longing. The title “Red Sulphur” fits: not because the ṣalāt is secret, but because—when it is recited with adab and attention—it aims and achieves a kind of inward transmutation: from distraction toward remembrance, and from cold recitation toward warmth of love for the Prophet ﷺ, a heedless heart to a healed heart and aware and energized soul.  

 

For the text below, the one in green is the one normally found in the books of litanies, and the red one is the one found in versions in South Asia, except were it is erroneous, so I have marked it purple.

 

Below you will find an amazing recitation by Mawlana Sayyid Zayn Saqibi, although the way that he recites may slightly differ from how the text of the litany appears in the book. There is a note in the explanation:

 

He has intentionally included additional waqf (pauses), to enhance the beauty of the recitation and make it easier to follow. These adjustments are made with full adherence to the sciences of tajweed and qira'at and without altering or affecting the meaning of the words.

However, it is strongly recommended that the recitation be adhered to as presented in the book. For this reason, the text that appears on the screen is consistent with the text from the book and does not reflect the additional waqf(pauses) by Mawlana. :

 

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah—the All‑Merciful, the Always‑Merciful.

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ أَفْضَلَ صَلَوَاتِكَ أَبَدًا،

O Allah, send—forever—the very best of Your ṣalāt,

 وَأَنْمَى بَرَكَاتِكَ سَرْمَدًا،

and Your most ever‑increasing ṣalāt, for all eternity,

 وَأَزْكَى تَحِيَّاتِكَ فَضْلًا وَمَدَدًا،( عَدَدًا)

and the purest of Your greetings of peace—surpassing in grace and help (alt:in number)

 وَمُؤَيَّدًا وَأَسْنَى سَلَامِكَ أَبَدًا مُجَدَّدًا

Supported and ennobled by Your grace—Your most exalted peace, forever renewed.

 عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْخَلَائِقِ الْإِنْسَانِيَّةِ وَالْجَانِّيَّةِ، 

upon the noblest of human kind and Jinn,

 وَمَعْدِنِ (مَجْمَعِ)الدَّقَائِقِ الْإِيمَانِيَّةِ،

and the fountainhead (literally : the most important mine) (or gathering place) of faith’s finest subtleties,

 وَطُورِ التَّجَلِّيَاتِ الْإِحْسَانِيَّةِ،

and the Mount (linking to the Mount of Musa AS, in the Sinai) of the manifestations of iḥsān (beautiful and perfect devotion),

 وَمَهْبِطِ الْأَسْرَارِ الرَّحْمَانِيَّةِ،

and the locus of descent of the Merciful’s secrets,

 وَعَرُوسِ الْمَمْلَكَةِ الرَّبَّانِيَّةِ (الْقُدْسِيَّةِ)، وَإِمَامِ الْحَضْرَةِ الرَّبَّانِيَّةِ

and the crown (literally : radiant bride) of the Lordly (Sacred) Kingdom, and the leader nominated by Divine Presence

 وَاسِطَةِ عِقْدِ النَّبِيِّينَ،

and the centerpiece (jewel) in the necklace of the prophets,

 وَمُقَدِّمِ(مُقَدِّمَةِ incorrect )جَيْشِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ،

and the vanguard of the army of the messengers,

 وَقَائِدِ رَكْبِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ الْمُكَرَّمِينَ،

and the leader of the caravan of the honored prophets.

 وَأَفْضَلِ الْخَلَائِقِ أَجْمَعِينَ،

and the most eminent of all created beings,

 حَامِلِ لِوَاءِ الْعِزِّ الْأَعْلَى،

the standard-bearer of the banner of the Highest Exaltation,

 وَمَالِكِ أَزِمَّةِ الشَّرَفِ الْأَسْنَى،

and the holder of the reins of the supreme honor,

 شَاهِدِ أَسْرَارِ الْأَزَلِ وَمُشَاهِدِ أَنْوَارِ السَّابِقِ الْأُوَلِ،

witness of the secrets of pre‑eternity (the beginningless divine timelessness), and beholder of the primordial radiances (the first sparks of light of the earliest creation)

 وَتَرْجُمَانِ لِسَانِ الْقِدَمِ،

and the articulator (of the hidden meanings) of the pre-eternal tongue (timeless word),

 وَمَنْبَعِ الْعِلْمِ وَالْحِلْمِ وَالْحُكْمِ،

and the source wellspring of knowledge, forbearance, and wisdom,

وَمَظْهَرِ سِرِّ الْوُجُودِ الْجُزْئِيِّ وَالْكُلِّيِّ،

and the manifestation of the mystery of  existence—both in its particular and universal forms.,

 وَإِنْسَانِ عَيْنِ الْوُجُودِ الْعُلْوِيِّ وَالسُّفْلِيِّ،

and the (Perfect) Human embodiment of the very essence of existence, both celestial and terrestrial.

وَ رُوحِ جَسَدِ الْكَوْنَيْنِ،

and the spirit within the body of the two worlds (cosmic body),

 وَعَيْنِ حَيَاةِ الدَّارَيْنِ،

and the very essence of life in the two abodes (this world and the next),

 الْمُتَخَلِّقِ بِأَعْلَى رُتَبِ الْعُبُودِيَّةِ،

one who embodies the noblest rank of devoted servitude (to God).

 وَ الْمُتَحَقِّقِ بِأَسْرَارِ الْمَقَامَاتِ الرُّبُوبِيَّةِ(الْاصْطِفَائِيَّةِ)،

and who actualized the secrets of the Lord-elected stations (stations of divine choosing),

صَاحِبِ الْمَقَامَاتِ الِاصْطِفَائِيَّةِ وَالْكَرَامَاتِ الِارْتِضَائِيَّةِ

The possessor of the stations of divine election and the miracles granted through divine acceptance.

 سَيِّدِ الْأَشْرَافِ وَجَامِعِ الْأَوْصَافِ،

The master of the noble ones,  in whom all perfections (virtues) are brought together.

 الْخَلِيلِ الْأَعْظَمِ،

the supreme, intimate beloved (of God) (literally: khalil is the one whose love has entered and filled the chest cavity and hence heart completely, leaving no space for anything else.)

 وَالْحَبِيبِ الْأَكْرَمِ،

the most deeply loved, the most honored

نَبِيِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ، وَرَسُولِكَ الْقَدِيمِ الْكَرِيمِ، الْهَادِي إِلَى الصِّرَاطِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ،

Your magnificent Prophet, Your noble and pre-eternal Messenger,
the one who guides to the straight path.

 الْمَخْصُوصِ بِأَعْلَى الْمَرَاتِبِ وَالْمَقَامَاتِ،

the one singled out for the highest levels (of honor) and stations.

 وَالْمُؤَيَّدِ بِأَوْضَحِ الْبَرَاهِينِ وَالدَّلَالَاتِ،

and the one (divinely strengthened or) supported by the most decisive proofs and signs/evidential marks pointing to truth.

 الْمَنْصُورِ بِالرُّعْبِ وَالْمُعْجِزَاتِ،

the one divinely aided to triumph through awe and incapacitating miracles

 وَ الْجَوْهَرِ الشَّرِيفِ الْأَبَدِيِّ،

and the noble essential reality, everlasting,

وَالنُّورِ الْقَدِيمِ الْمُحَمَّدِيِّ السَّرْمَدِيِّ

and the primordial (spiritual) Muhammadan light that endures in perpetual continuity.

سَيِّدِنَا وَ مَوْلَانَا مُحَمَّدٍ،

our master and our Prophet , Muhammad,

 الْمَحْمُودِ فِي الْإِيجَادِ وَالْوُجُودِ،

the praiseworthy in origination and in existence.

 الْفَاتِحِ لِكُلِّ شَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ،

the one who opens the way for every witness and every witnessed reality.

 وَحَضْرَةِ الْمُشَاهَدَةِ وَالشُّهُودِ،

and the august presence of spiritual witnessing and conscious awareness.

 نُورِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدَاهُ،

the light of all existence (literally: every thing) and its guidance.

 وَسِرِّكُلِّ سِرٍّ وَسَنَاهُ،

and the secret essence of every secret and its shining splendor.

 الَّذِي شُقِّقَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَسْرَارُ،

the one through whom the mysteries burst forth

 وَانْفَلَقَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَنْوَارُ،

and from him the radiant lights break forth.

 السِّرِّ الْبَاطِنِ، وَالنُّورِ الظَّاهِرِ،

The hidden secret and the manifest light.

السَّيِّدِ الْكَامِلِ،

the perfect master

 الْفَاتِحِ الْخَاتَمِ ،

the inaugurator and the final seal

 الْأَوَّلِ الْآخِرِ،

the first and the ultimate 

 الْبَاطِنِ الظَّاهِرِ،

the hidden and the manifest

 الْعَاقِبِ الْحَاشِرِ،

the final successor and the gatherer (of humankind on the Day of Judgment)

 النَّاهِي الْآمِرِ،

the one who forbids evil and enjoins what is right

 النَّاصِحِ النَّاصِرِ،

the sincere adviser and the one who always helps

 الصَّابِرِ الشَّاكِرِ،

the steadfast and the grateful

 الْقَانِتِ الذَّاكِرِ،

the devout worshipper and the one who constantly remembers (God)

 الْمَاحِي الْمَاجِدِ،

the one who effaces or wipes away (in prophetic tradition, the one through whom disbelief is erased) and the magnanimous one (possessing exalted honor)

 الْعَزِيزِ الْحَامِدِ،

the dignified (and honored) one and the one who praises God

 الْمُؤْمِنِ الْعَابِدِ،

the one firm in faith and devoted in worship

 الْمُتَوَكِّلِ الزَّاهِدِ،

the one of complete reliance on God, and the one detached from (all) worldly attachments

 الْقَائِمِ الْقَاعِدِ الرَّاكِعِ السَّاجِدِ

the one who stands, sits, bows, and prostrates (in worship).

التَّابِعِ الشَّهِيدِ 

 the follower, and the witness.

الْقَائِمِ السَّاجِدِ التَّابِعِ الشَّهِيدِ  

the one who stands (in worship), the one who prostrates, the follower, and the witness.

الْوَلِيِّ الْحَمِيدِ

the protecting friend (or patron), the praiseworthy one .

 الْبُرْهَانِ الْحُجَّةِ الْمُطَاعِ  الْمُخْتَارِ

the decisive proof the conclusive evidence and the one obeyed, the chosen one

 الْخَاضِعِ الْخَاشِعِ الْبَرِّ الْمُسْتَنْصِرِ الْحَقِّ الْمُبِينِ 

and the humble, deeply reverent, righteous one reliant upon Divine Support, the truth made clear and manifest

 طٰهٰ وَيٰسٓ،

Ṭā-Hā and Yā-Sīn

 الْمُزَّمِّلِ الْمُدَّثِّرِ،

the one wrapped in garments and the one enveloped in a mantle

 سَيِّدِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ  وَإِمَامِ الْمُتَّقِينَ،

the master of the Messengers and the leader of the God-conscious

 وَخَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَحَبِيبِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ،

the seal of the Prophets and the beloved of the Lord of the Worlds

 النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى وَالرَّسُولِ الْمُجْتَبَى،

the Prophet specially chosen and the elect Messenger

 الْحَكَمِ الْعَدْلِ اللَّطِيفِ الْخَبِيرِ

the just judge, the subtle (gentle) and the all-aware.”

 الْحَكِيمِ الْعَلِيمِ،

endowed with deep wisdom and knowledge

 الْعَزِيزِ (الْحَلِيمِ) الرَّؤُفِ الرَّحِيمِ،

the noble (the gentle), the tenderly compassionate, the always-compassionate

الْغَفُورِ الشَّكُورِ الْعَلِيِّ الْكَرِيمِ

the forgiving, the appreciative, the high, the honored 

(this is a line not found in some of the texts because they are exclusively Allah's names. 

al-Ghafūr (الغفور) — This is understood almost exclusively as a Divine Name. I'm not aware of established traditional sources that apply this as a name or title of the Prophet ﷺ. Forgiveness in its absolute, unconditional sense is an attribute of Allah alone in Islamic theology.
al-ʿAlī (العلي) — Similarly, this in its absolute sense ("the Most High," "the Exalted") is a Divine Name. The Prophet ﷺ is described with related terms of honor and elevated rank (rafīʿ ad-darajāt, for instance, or the Qurʾanic wa-rafaʿnā laka dhikrak), but al-ʿAlī as a title is not traditionally applied to him. 

 

al-Karīm (الكريم) is the one with the clearest connection. The Prophet ﷺ is widely described in Islamic literature as "karīm" in the sense of being noble and the hadith tradition refers to chains of noble lineage using this word (e.g., "al-karīm ibn al-karīm" in reference to Prophet Yūsuf). However, when used as a Divine Name with the definite article in its absolute sense, it refers to Allah and almost exclusively means Generous. As a descriptive quality (sifa), it is applied to the Prophet, the Qur'an and others and it means noble.
ash-Shakūr (الشكور) — As a Divine Name, this means "the Most Appreciative" or "the One who abundantly rewards." The Prophet ﷺ was described as deeply grateful (shakūr) to Allah. There is a well-known narration where ʿĀʾisha (رضي الله عنها) asked why he prayed so long at night when his sins were already forgiven, and he replied, "Should I not be a grateful servant (ʿabdan shakūrā)?" So shakūr as a description applies to him, but ash-Shakūr as a proper Divine Name is reserved for Allah.)

نُورِكَ الْقَدِيمِ وَصِرَاطِكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ،

Your primordial light and Your path of rectitude 

(سَيِّدِنَا) مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ وَصَفِيِّكَ

Our master Muhammad, Your devoted servant and Your messenger and Your specially chosen one

 وَخَلِيلِكَ وَحَبِيبِكَ وَوَلِيِّكَ

 and Your intimate friend and Your beloved, Your friend,

وَنَبِيِّكَ وَأَمِينِكَ وَدَلِيلِكَ وَنَجِيِّكَ

and Your Prophet, Your trusted one, Your guide, and Your intimate one.

 وَنُخْبَتِكَ وَذَخِيرَتِكَ وَخِيَرَتِكَ،

Your select one and Your cherished treasure and Your best and most selected one from among creation.

وَ إِمَامِ الْخَيْرِ وَقَائِدِ الْخَيْرِ  وَرَسُولِ الرَّحْمَةِ،

and the foremost exemplar of all goodness and the one who leads to all good, the messenger of divine mercy

 النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ الْعَرَبِيِّ الْقُرَشِيِّ الْهَاشِمِيِّ،

the unlettered Prophet,the Arab, the Qurashī, the Hāshimī,

 الْأَبْطَحِيِّ، الْمَكِّيِّ، الْمَدَنِيِّ، التُّهَامِيِّ،

of al‑Abṭaḥ, the Meccan, the Medinan, the Tihāmī,

 الشَّاهِدِ الْمَشْهُودِ،

the witnessing one, the one witnessed,

 الْوَلِيِّ الْمُقَرَّبِ السَّعِيدِ(الْعَبْدِ) الْمَسْعُودِ،

the intimate friend drawn near, the blessed (servant) and the one granted happiness

 الْحَبِيبِ الشَّفِيعِ الْحَسِيبِ الرَّفِيعِ، 

the beloved intercessor, the noble one of high eminence

الْمَلِيحِ الْبَدِيعِ الْوَاعِظِ الْبَشِيرِ النَّذِيرِ

the graceful and incomparable one, the preacher and giver of glad tidings, the warner

 الْعَطُوفِ الْحَلِيمِ الْجَوَادِ الْكَرِيمِ،

the paragon of compassion, the gentle, generous, and magnanimous

 الطَّيِّبِ الْمُبَارَكِ،

the pure and blessed

 الرَّءُوفِ الرَّحِيمِ،

The most compassionate and the always compassionate.

 الْمُبَارَكِ الْمَكِينِ،

the blessed one,  firmly established (in honor)

 الصَّادِقِ(الصِّدْقِ) الْمَصْدُوقِ الْأَمِينِ،

the truthful (in truth itself) the one whose truth is affirmed, the trustworthy.

 الدَّاعِي إِلَيْكَ بِإِذْنِكَ،

the one who calls to You by Your Leave

 السِّرَاجِ الْمُنِيرِ،

the illuminating lamp

الَّذِي أَدْرَكَ الْحَقَائِقَ بِجُمَّتِهَا ، وَفَاقَ الْخَلَائِقَ بِرُمَّتِهَا،

the one who comprehended realities through in their abundance/entirety,  nd surpassed all creation in its entirety

 وَجَعَلْتَهُ حَبِيبًا وَنَاجَيْتَهُ قَرِيبًا، وَأَدْنَيْتَهُ رَقِيبًا،

and with whom You conversed intimately, bringing him near, and You drew him close as a vigilant witness

 وَخَتَمْتَ بِهِ الرِّسَالَةَ وَالدِّلَالَةَ،

 وَالْبِشَارَةَ وَالنَّذَارَةَ، وَالنُّبُوَّةَ،

and through him You sealed the message and the guidance, 

and (sealed) the glad tidings and warning, and prophethood itself,

وَنَصَرْتَهُ بِالرُّعْبِ، وَظَلَّلْتَهُ بِالسُّحُبِ،

 وَرَدَدْتَ لَهُ الشَّمْسَ، وَشَقَقْتَ لَهُ الْقَمَرَ،

 وَأَنْطَقْتَ لَهُ الضَّبَّ وَالظَّبْيَ  وَالذِّئْبَ  وَالْجِذْعَ وَالذِّرَاع

وَالْجَمَلَ وَالْجَبَلَ وَالْمَدَرَ وَالشَّجَرَ وَالْحَجَرَ

and You granted him victory through awe (cast into hearts), and You sheltered him beneath clouds, 

and You returned the sun for him, and You split the moon for him, 

and You made the desert lizard,  the gazelle, the wolf,

the tree‑trunk, the foreleg (the roasted foreleg that spoke in the incident of the poisoned sheep), the camel, the mountain, the clods of earth, and the tree  and stones speak for him, 

وَأَنْبَعْتَ مِنْ أَصَابِعِهِ الْمَاءَ الزُّلَالَ،

 وَأَنْزَلْتَ مِنْ الْمُزْنِ بِدَعْوَتِهِ فِي عَامِ الْمَحْلِ وَ الْجَدْبِ وَابِلَ الْغَيْثِ وَالْمَطَرَ،

 فَاعْشَوْشَبَ مِنْهُ الْقَفْرُ وَالصَّخْرُ وَالْوَعْرُ وَالسَّهْلُ وَالرَّمْلُ وَالْحَجَرُ وَالْمَدَرَ،

and You caused pure water to spring from his fingers, 

and, by his supplication in a year of barrenness and drought, You sent down from the rain‑clouds a heavy downpour of lifesaving rain, 

so that, by it grew lush, the barren land—rocky and rugged, flatland and sand and stone and clods of the earth,

وَأَسْرَيْتَ بِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى،

 إِلَى السَّمَٰوَاتِ الْعُلَى، إِلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى، إِلَى قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى،

 and You took him by night from al‑Masjid al‑Ḥarām to al‑Masjid al‑Aqṣā, 

to the highest heavens, to the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary,

 to two bow‑lengths away—or nearer still

 وَأَرَيْتَهُ الْآيَةَ الْكُبْرَى، وَأَنَلْتَهُ الْغَايَةَ الْقُصْوَى،

 وَأَكْرَمْتَهُ بِالْمُخَاطَبَةِ وَالْمُرَاقَبَةِ وَالْمُشَافَهَةِ وَالْمُشَاهَدَةِ،

 وَالْمُعَايَنَةِ بِالْبَصَرِ 

—and You showed him the greatest sign, and You granted him the furthest attainment, 

and You honored him with direct address, vigilant nearness, face‑to‑face discourse, and witnessing, 

and with seeing by the (naked) eye itself,

وَخَصَّصْتَهُ بِالْوَسِيلَةِ الْعُظْمَى وَالشَّفَاعَةِ الْكُبْرَى،

 يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ فِي الْمَحْشَرِ،

and You singled him out with the supreme means of nearness (al‑Wasīlah), and the Greatest Intercession, 
on the Day of the greatest dread, in the gathering‑place,

وَجَمَعْتَ لَهُ جَوَامِعَ الْكَلِمِ، وَجَوَاهِرَ الْحِكَمِ،

 وَجَعَلْتَ أُمَّتَهُ خَيْرَ الْأُمَمِ،

And You granted him the gift of concise, all-embracing speech and the jewels of wisdom, 
and You made his community the best of communities.

 وَغَفَرْتَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ،

And You cleared him of the defamation and slander that had been brought against him prior and those that would follow —

 الَّذِي بَلَّغَ الرِّسَالَةَ وَأَدَّى الْأَمَانَةَ،

 he who conveyed the Message, and delivered the Trust, 

وَنَصَحَ الْأُمَّةَ، وَكَشَفَ الْغُمَّةَ، وَجَلَا الظُّلْمَةَ،

 وَجَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، وَعَبَدَ رَبَّهُ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ الْيَقِينُ.

and gave sincere counsel to the Ummah, and lifted the distress, and dispelled the darkness, 
and strove in the path of Allah, and worshipped his Lord until certainty came to him.

اللَّهُمَّ ابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا

الَّذِي يَغْبِطُهُ فِيهِ الأَوَّلُونَ وَالْآخِرُونَ. 

O God, raise him to the Praised Station,

the one whose station is admired longingly by those who came before and those who come after.

اللَّهُمَّ أَعْظِمْهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا

 بِإِعْلَاءِ ذِكْرِهِ وَإِظْهَارِ دِينِهِ وَإِبْقَاءِ شَرِيعَتِهِ.

O God, magnify his honor in this world 
by elevating the remembrance and mention of his name, by making his religion manifest, and by preserving his sacred law.

وَأَعْظِمْهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ بِقَبُولِ شَفَاعَتِهِ فِي أُمَّتِهِ،

وَإِجْزَالِ أَجْرِهِ وَمَثُوبَتِهِ،

وَإِبْدَاءِ فَضْلِهِ عَلَى الأَوَّلِينَ وَالْآخِرِينَ( وَبِتَخْصِيصِهِ) بِالْمَقَامِ الْمَحْمُودِ،

And magnify his rank in the Hereafter
through the acceptance of his intercession for his community,
through the abundant bestowal of his reward and recompense
and through the manifestation of his excellence before all who came before and after by granting him the (unique distinction of the) Praised Station,

وَتَقْدِيمِمَهُ عَلَى كَافَّةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ يَوْمَ الشُّهُودِ.

and by placing him foremost above all those brought near to You,  on the Day when all creation stands in witness.

اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ شَفَاعَتَهُ الْكُبْرَى وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ الْعُلْيَا،

O God, accept his supreme intercession, and raise his rank to the highest station,

وَأَعْطِهِ سُؤْلَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَى،  

كَمَا آعْطِيْتَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى.

And grant him what he asks in the Hereafter and in this world.
just as You granted Your favor to Abraham and Moses.

  اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ مِنْ أَكْرَمِ عِبَادِكَ عَلَيْكَ شَرَفًا (وَكَرَامَةً )

O Allah, make him among the most honored of Your servants in Your sight, in dignity and in honor before You (in Your Presence).

وَمِنْ أَرْفَعِهِمْ (عِنْدَكَ) دَرَجَةً،

وَأَعْظَمِهِمْ(عِنْدَكَ)خَطَرًا،

وَأَمْكَنِهِمْ عِنْدَكَ شَفَاعَةً.

among the highest of them in rank (with You(in your Sight).)
among the greatest of them in worth and distinction( with You(in your Sight).)
and among those whose intercession holds the greatest standing with You(in your Sight).

اللَّهُمَّ عَظِّمْ بُرْهَانَهُ وَأَفْلِجْ حُجَّتَهُ ( وَثَقِّلْ مِيزَانَهُ وَأَبْلِجْ حُجَّتَهُ)

O God, magnify his proof and clear evidence and make his arguments prevail.
and make his scale of deeds weighty and make his argument radiant , 

 وَأَبْلِغْ مَأْمُولَهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ

and manifest and bring to fulfillment his hope concerning his household, his descendants,

 وَعَشِيرَتِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَأَصْهَارِهِ.

 his clan, and his companions,and those related to him by marriage.

اللَّهُمَّ أَتْبِعْهُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَأُمَّتِهِ مَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ،

 O God, grant him among his descendants and his community that which will delight his eyes.

وَاجْزِهِ عَنَّا خَيْرَ مَا جَزَيْتَ بِهِ نَبِيًّا عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ،

وَاجْزِ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ كُلَّهُمْ خَيْرًا.

And reward him on our behalf with the finest reward with which You have rewarded any prophet for his community.
And grant goodness in recompense to all the prophets.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ

عَدَدَ مَا شَاهَدَتْهُ(شَهِدَتْهُ) الْأَبْصَارُ 

O God, send ṣalāt and peace upon our master Muhammad,  as numerous as what eyes have seen (witnessed) 

وَسَمِعَتْهُ الْآذَانُ

and ears have heard.

وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ عَدَدَ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ

Send ṣalāt and peace upon him as many times as those who send ṣalāt upon him. 

وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ عَدَدَ مَنْ لَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ

And send ṣalāt and peace upon him as many times as those who do not send ṣalāt upon him. 

وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى أَنْ يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ

And send ṣalāt and peace upon him in the manner that You love and are pleased that he be blessed. 

وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا أَمَرْتَنَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ

And send ṣalāt and peace upon him as You have commanded us to invoke ṣalāt upon him  

وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ. 

And send ṣalāt and peace upon him as is fitting and worthy that ṣalāt be sent upon him.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ، عَدَدَ نِعْمَاءِ(نِعْمَآءِ)اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَأَفْضَالِهِ 

O Allah, send ṣalāt and peace upon our Master Muhammad and upon his family, in the number of the ṣalāt and favors of Allah Most High.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ، وَأَصْحَابِهِ،

O Allah, send ṣalawāt and peace upon him and upon his family, his Companions,

 وَأَوْلَادِهِ، وَأَحْفَادِهِ، وَأَزْوَاجِهِ، وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ،

his children, his grandchildren, his wives, his descendants, the People of his House,

 وَعِتْرَتِهِ، وَعَشِيرَتِهِ، وَأَطْهَارِهِ  

وَ أَصْهَارِهِ وَأَخْتَانِهِ وَأَحْبَابِهِ،  وَأَتْبَاعِهِ، وَأَشْيَاعِهِ، وَأَنْصَارِهِ.

 his purified lineage, his clan, his purified ones, his relatives by marriage, (especially) his brothers and sisters in law, his beloved ones,his followers, his supporters, and his helpers.

خَزَنَةِ أَسْرَارِهِ وَمَعَادِنِ أَنْوَارِهِ،كُنُوزِ الْحَقَائِقِ، وَهُدَاةِ الْخَلَائِقِ،

 نُجُومِ الِاهْتِدَاءِ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِمْ.

They are the keepers of his secrets, the mines of his lights, the treasures of true realities, the guides of creation, the stars of guidance for those who follow their example. 

وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيمًا كَثِيرًا دَائِمًا أَبَدًا.

And grant abundant peace, everlasting and eternal.

وَارْضَ عَنْ كُلِّ الصَّحَابَةِ رِضًى سَرْمَدًا،

And be pleased with all the Companions with an everlasting good pleasure,

 عَدَدَ خَلْقِكَ وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِكَ،

 وَرِضَا نَفْسِكَ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِكَ (وَمُنْتَهَى عِلْمِكَ) 

equal to the number of Your creation, the weight of Your Throne,
the extent of Your good pleasure, the ink of Your words (and the furthest reach of Your knowledge.)

كُلَّمَا ذَكَرَكَ ذَاكِرونَ(ذَاكِرٌ)

Whenever those (one) who engage(s) in remembrance remember(s) You.”

 وَكُلَّمَا سَهَا عَنْ ذِكْرِهِ غَافِلٌ.

 and whenever one who is heedless neglects his remembrance. 

 وَغَفَلَ عَنْ ذِكْرِكَ الْغَافِلُونَ

While the heedless have turned away from remembering You

صَلَاةً تَكُونُ لَكَ رِضَاء وَلِحَقِّهِ أَدَاءً وَلَنَا صَلَاحًا.

A ṣalāt that brings Your good pleasure, fulfills his due, and brings rectification to us.

وَآتِهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَالدَّرَجَةَ الْعَالِيَةَ الرَّفِيعَةَ،

 وَابْعَثْهُ الْمَقَامَ الْمَحْمُودَ، وَاللِّوَاءَ الْمَعْقُودَ، وَالْحَوْضَ الْمَوْرُودَ. 

And grant him the Wasilah and the Fadilah, and the lofty, exalted rank; and raise him to the Praised Station, the unfurled banner, and the well-frequented Fountain.

وَصَلِّ يَا رَبِّ عَلَى جَمِيعِ إِخْوَانِهِ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ،

 وَالْأَوْلِيَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ، وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ، وَعَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ.

And send ṣalāt, O Lord, upon all of his brethren (in faith) among the prophets and the messengers, and upon the saints and the righteous, and upon the martyrs and the truthful, and upon the angels who are brought near.

Here the reciters recite a supplication in favor of their respective saints:

 

وَعَلَى سَيِّدِنَا أُوَيْسِ الْقَرَنِيِّ، خَيْرِ التَّابِعِينَ، وَمَظْهَرِ نَفَسِ الْيَمَنِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْمَحَبَّةِ،

الْبَارِّ بِالْوَالِدَةِ، صَاحِبِ السَّلَامِ الْمَرْوِيِّ، أَصْلِ الْمَشْرَبِ الْأُوَيْسِيِّ،

 سِرِّ أَهْلِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ، رَاهِبِ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ، شَهِيدِ صِفِّينَ، قُدْوَةِ الزَّاهِدِينَ وَالْعَارِفِينَ

And upon our master Uwais al-Qarani, the best of the *tābiʿīn*, the one in whom the fragrant breath of Yemen appeared to the people of love;
the devoted son who honored his mother, the bearer of the transmitted greeting, the fountainhead of the Uwaisi spiritual path, the hidden secret of the people of gnosis;
the ascetic monk of this community, the martyr of Ṣiffīn,the exemplar for the ascetics and the knowers of God.

وَعَلَى سَيِّدِنَا الشَّيْخِ مُحْيِي الدِّينِ عَبْدِ الْقَادِرِ الْجِيلَانِيِّ الْأَمِينِ الْمَكِينِ.

And upon our master, the Shaykh, Muḥyī al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī, the trustworthy and firmly established.

وَعَلَى سَيِّدِنَا عَطَاءِ الرَّسُولِ، سُلْطَانِ الْهِنْدِ،
الشَّيْخِ مُعِينِ الدِّينِ حَسَنٍ، فَخْرِ الْكَامِلِينَ، قُطْبِ الْعَارِفِينَ،

And upon our master, the gift of the Messenger, the Sultan of India—
Shaykh Muʿīn al-Dīn Ḥasan, the pride of the spiritually perfected and the pole of the gnostics—

 

وَعَلَى سَيِّدِنَا الْأَمِيرِ الْكَبِيرِ، شَاهِ هَمَدَانَ، عَلِيِّ الثَّانِي، 

 الْقُطْبِ الرَّبَّانِيِّ، الْمُوَحِّدِ الصَّمَدَانِيِّ،

 الشَّيْخِ الْكَامِلِ، سُلْطَانِ السَّادَاتِ وَالْعُرَفَاءِ، مُرْشِدِ السَّالِكِينَ،

 مَظْهَرِ نُورِ الْحَقِّ، أَمِيرِ الدَّارَيْنِ، السَّيِّدِ عَلِيِّ الْهَمَدَانِيِّ الْكُبْرَوِيِّ،

 مُحْيِي دَعْوَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ بِكَشْمِيرَ، 

 مُؤَلِّفِ الْأَوْرَادِ الْفَتْحِيَّةِ، مُحْيِي عُلُومِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، أَفْضَلِ الْمُحَقِّقِينَ وَأَكْمَلِ الْمُدَقِّقِينَ، 

 

And blessings be upon our master, the Great Amir, Shah-e-Hamadan, Ali the Second, 

the divinely guided spiritual pole, the upholder of divine unity devoted to the Eternal One, 

the fully realized shaykh, the leader of the Sayyids and the knowers of God, the guide of spiritual seekers, 

the manifestation of the light of Truth, the leader in both worlds, Sayyid Ali al-Hamadani al-Kubrawi, 

the reviver of the call of Islam in Kashmir 

author of al-Awrad al-Fathiyyah, reviver of the teachings of the prophets and messengers, the foremost of the realized scholars and the most accomplished of the meticulous scholars.

 

 

صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَسَلَامُهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ.

May the ṣalāt of Allah and His peace be upon them all. 

 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، السَّابِقِ لِلْخَلْقِ نُورُهُ،

O Allah, send ṣalawāt and peace upon our master Muhammad, whose light preceded creation (This is a well-known phrase in devotional ṣalawāt literature referring to the pre-eternal light of the Prophet.) 

وَ الرَّحْمَةِ لِلْعَالَمِينَ ظُهُورُهُ.

and whose manifestation is a mercy to all worlds. 

عَدَدَ مَا مَضَى مِنْ خَلْقِكَ وَمَا بَقِيَ، وَمَنْ سَعِدَ مِنْهُمْ وَمَنْ شَقِيَ.

In the number of what has passed of Your creation and what remains, and of those among them who attain felicity and those who fall into wretchedness.

صَلَاةً تَسْتَغْرِقُ الْعَدَّ، وَتُحِيطُ بِالْحَدِّ.

A ṣalāt that encompasses all counting and surrounds all limits.

 صَلَاةً لَا غَايَةَ لَهَا، وَلَا انْتِهَاءَ لَهَا، وَلَا أَمَدَ لَهَا، وَلَا انْقِضَاءَ لَهَا.

A ṣalāt without limit, without end, without term, and without cessation.

صَلَوَاتَكَ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ بِهَا عَلَيْهِ

The ṣalāt which You have bestowed upon him.

صَلَاةً مَعْرُوضَةً عَلَيْهِ مَقْبُولَةً لَدَيْهِ مَحْبُوبَةً إِلَيْهِ

A ṣalāt that is presented upon him, and accepted by him, beloved to him

صَلَاةً دَائِمَةً بِدَوَامِكَ وَ بَاقِيَةً بِبَقَائِكَ،

A ṣalāt everlasting through Your everlastingness, enduring through Your abiding, 

 لَا مُنْتَهَى لَهَا دُونَ عِلْمِكَ

having no end except within Your knowledge.

صَلَاةً تُرْضِيكَ، وَتُرْضِيهِ، وَتَرْضَى بِهَا عَنَّا

A ṣalāt that pleases You, pleases him, and through which You are pleased with us.

صَلَاةً تَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاءَ   

A ṣalāt that fills the earth and the heavens. (traditionally a sajdah here)

صَلَاةً تَسْتَجِيبُ بِهَا دُعَاءَنَا

A blessing by which our supplications (دُعَا) are answered

وَتُزَكِّي بِهَا نُفُوسَنَا، وَتُحْيِي بِهَا قُلُوبَنَا

and by it You cleanse our souls and revive our hearts

وَ(صَلَاةً) تُحَلُّ بِهَا الْعُقَدَ، وَتُفَرَّجُ بِهَا الْكُرَبَ،

 وَيَجْرِي بِهَا لُطْفُكَ فِي أَمْرِي وَأُمُورِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

and (a blessing) by which knots are untied, hardships are relieved, and by which Your gentleness flows in my affairs and in the affairs of the Muslims. (traditionally a second sajdah here)

وَبَارِكْ لَنَا عَلَى الدَّوَامِ، وَعَافِنَا، وَاهْدِنَا، وَامْدُدْنَا، وَاجْعَلْنَا آمِنِينَ.

And bless us continually; grant us well-being, guide us, strengthen us, and make us secure.

وَيَسِّرْ لَنَا أُمُورَنَا مَعَ الرَّاحَةِ لِقُلُوبِنَا وَأَبْدَانِنَا،

Make our affairs easy with comfort for our hearts and bodies,

 وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْعَافِيَةِ فِي دِينِنَا وَدُنْيَانَا وَآخِرَتِنَا

and with safety and well-being in our religion, our worldly life, and our Hereafter.

وَتَوَفَّنَا عَلَى الْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَّةِ.

And cause us to die upon the Book and the Sunnah.

وَاجْمَعْنَا مَعَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ مِنْ غَيْرِ عَذَابٍ بَئِيسٍ، مَعَ كُلِّ شَفِيقٍ وَأَنِيسٍ
وَأَنْتَ رَاضٍ عَنَّا غَيْرَ غَضْبَانَ.

Gather us with him in Paradise without any severe punishment, in the company of every compassionate and comforting companion.
While You are pleased with us and not angry with us.

وَلَا تَمْكُرْ بِنَا، وَاخْتِمْ لَنَا مِنْكَ بِخَيْرٍ، وَعَافِيَةٍ بِلَا مِحْنَةٍ أَجْمَعِينَ.

Do not plot against us, and conclude our lives from You with goodness and well-being without trials, all of us together.

خَتَمَ اللَّهُ لَنَا بِالْحُسْنَى، وَهُوَ مَوْلَانَا، نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

May Allah conclude our lives with goodness and the best ending.
He is our Protector — the best of protectors and the best of helpers.

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ، وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ.

وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might, above what they describe.And peace be upon the messengers.
And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ.

بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

May Allah send ṣalāt upon the best of His creation, our master Muhammad, and upon his family and his companions altogether.
By Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

تَمَّتْ بِالْخَيْرِ.

Completed with khair (goodness).