| To understand the essence of Gyaarahweeh Shareef, one should first have an understanding of Esaal-uth-Thawaab. To put simply, Esaal-uth-Thawaab is nothing other than to ask Allah for the forgiveness of our sins, and to raise the spiritual status of the deceased. This may be achieved through various practices, such as the offering of duas, to recite the Quran, to offer Qurbani (at Eid al Adha) and also to perform a compulsory Hajj on the behalf of the deceased. Evidence from the Quran Allah Almighty has ordered Muslims to pray for their parents as follows: "O' My Lord, have mercy on my parents like they have bought me up through my childhood "(Surah Isra, Verse 24) Allah Almighty has praised those Muslims who ask for forgiveness of the deceased. They ask for forgiveness in the following manner: "O' Our Lord, forgive us and forgive our Muslim brothers and sisters who have passed away." (Surah Hashir, Verse 10) The above mentioned verses demonstrate that if anyone prays on behalf of another person, the latter will receive the spiritual benefits - Allah Willing. Evidence from the Sunnah Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim Radiallahu Anhuma writes: A man came to Rasulallah Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam and said: "My mother has suddenly died and she did not leave any will, but I suspect that if she did, then she would have told me to give something to charity. Now if I offer something in charity on her behalf, will she get the reward? " Rasulallah Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam replied: "Yes." Then the man said: "I make you, the Prophet, as my witness that I offer my garden full of fruits to charity. (Bukhari, Muslim, Chapter: Al-Wasiha) This Hadith Shareef proves that to offer a charity on behalf of the deceased will result in the deceased obtaining a benefit. Imam Bukhari Radiallahu Anhu writes: Rasulallah Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam has said: "The status of the deceased is raised (during their time in the grave), and the deceased ask Allah as to why this has happened. Allah replies: "Your son has prayed for your forgiveness ". (Al-Adab, Al-Mufid Chapter: Excellency of the Parents by Imam Bukhari) From this particular Hadith Shareef, it can be understood that not only charity, but the offering of prayers (making duas) and the giving of alms will also benefit the deceased. Upon understanding this, the following will be much easier to appreciate. The Gyaarahweeh Shareef The Gyaarahweeh Shareef is a special Esaal-uth-Thawaab which is recited for the great saint of Baghdad, Ghaus-ul-Aazam Dastageer Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu. Its origin is from the time Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu. It was the habit of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu to complete a full recitation of the Glorious Quran on the 12th of every Islamic month. The reward of this Khatam was then offered in the form of Esaal-uth-Thawaab to Rasulallah Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam. This was done in a gathering and thereafter niyaaz distributed. This monthly Esaal-uth-Thawaab of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu was very popular. After the demise of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu on the 11th of Rabi-uth-Thaani, his followers added another Khatam which was offered on the 11th of every Islamic month to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu. This Esaal-uth-Thawaab also became hugely popular and great crowds participated in this Khatam and its niyaaz. Alhamdulillah, this special Esaal-uth-Thawaab for Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu is now known as the Gyaarahweeh, meaning 'The 11th'. Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi Radiallahu Anhu says: "Verily, these times in our country, the celebration of Gyaarahweeh Shareefis very popular. It is even more popular among the Mashaa'ikh (Grand Masters) of the Qaadiriyyah order. During the Gyaarahweeh Shareef, the Sultan and pious elders gather at the Mazaar (shrine) in Baghdad Shareef. They recite the Khatam from Asr to Maghrib and also the praises of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Radiallahu Anhu. After Maghrib salaah, the spiritual head sits in the middle of the congregation and leads the Zikr (Remembrance of Allah). On this occasion, many people experience a sense of Wajd (spiritual ecstasy). Niyaaz is prepared and distributed and people disperse after Esha salaah." (Maa Thabata min-as-Sunnah) The gathering of the Gyaarahweeh Shareef is a highly spiritual one. The participants recite the Quran, remember Allah Ta'ala, His Beloved Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam and His Awliyaa. Various scholars deliver lectures on different topics of Islam. The audience is enlightened and spiritually refreshed. At the end a dua is said and then hospitality for the sole purpose of blessing is done for the people. If all these are not acts of barakah, then what is? May we continue to benefit from the celebrations of the Gyaarahweeh Shareef. Aameen. | 
