Heavenly Jewels

behind doing so is that when our Durood and Salaam is presented in the court ofthe Holy Prophet �, it is presented with this position ofrespect as well . The Ulema have declared this Qiyaam (standing) as Mustahsan (praiseworthy) and a means of attaining Thawaab. Some pious elders have also been blessed with the Ziyaaraat of the Holy Prophet � in these gatherings. However it cannot be said for sure that he visits such gatherings in a particular instance but i fhe favors any ofhis slaves with his special attention andvisits them, it is his mercy. Rule- Only authenticated and trustworthy narrations from reliable Kitaabs are to be related i n Meelad and other gatherings. By relating fictionalized events, instead of attaining blessings sin is incurred. (Bahare-Shariat) Rule- When women recite Meelad Shareef, they should take special care to not let their voices be raised in the manner that Ajnabee and Ghair-Mahrammen can also hear. Their voices should be restrained in the house and only authentic narrations should be read. The Hamds and Naats should also be free from any kind of defect. Most importantly, they should concentrate on the Meelad and not engage themselves in theirown conversations, chatter andback bitting. Rule- Holding gatherings in the name of the Khulafaa � to inform Muslims of their sacrifice to Islam and excellence is permissible. They are the leaders ofMus lims and events of their lives offer only guidance with their remembrance being a means for b lessing to descend. Rule- Co-ordinating gatherings during the ten days ofMuharram is also permissible provided that only authentic narrations are related in them. These functions offer insight to the sacrifice and steadfastness on the Shariah practiced by Sayyiduna ImaamHusain * and the othermartyrs ofKarbala. lndeed their lives have lessons which we need to learn for us to become effective mumins. However the Khulafaa and other Sahaaba � should also be remembered in these gatherings so that our gatherings of the Ahle- Sunnat Wa-Jamaat can be differentiated from those of the Shias. 220