The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 616
SIGN OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT 615 their parents or of the parents to meet their daughters, or of men for their marriage or to search for a livelihood or delivering a message, or for meeting righteous people. For example, Hadrat Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, travelled to meet Hadrat Awais Qarni. And some- times the journey is also for jihad, whether it be a jihad with the sword or for a religious debate [i. e. jihad with the pen]; and sometimes the journey is with the intent of engaging in a mubāhalah [prayer duel], as is proven from the life of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. And sometimes, the journey is undertaken to meet one's religious guide, as has always been the case of the great Auliyā'[i. e. Saints] amongst whom include Hadrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir, may Allah be pleased with him; Hadrat Ba Yazīd Bistāmi; Hadrat Muʻin- ud-Din Chishtī; and Hadrat Mujaddid Alf Thānī—all of whom have been travelling with such objectives and their handwritten travelogues are available to this day. Sometimes, the travel is undertaken to obtain a fatwa as well. Its permission, indeed it being an obligation under certain circum- stances, is proven from authentic ahādīth. The journeys undertaken by Imām Bukhārī to seek the knowledge of hadith are well known. Perhaps Miyāń Rahīm Bakhsh is not aware of these. Sometimes travel is undertaken to see the wonders of the world, as is indicated by the verse: قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ ! Sometimes a journey is carried out to stay in the company of the right- eous, as is enjoined by the noble verse: يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصُّدِقِينَ 20 1. Say, 'go about in the earth' (Sūrah al-An'ām, 6:12). [Publisher] 2. O ye who believe! fear Allah and be with the truthful (Sūrah at-Taubah, 9:119). [Publisher]