Passing Away (Wisal)
Hazrat Makhdoom Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (may Allah have mercy on him) devoted his entire life to the service of Islam, the guidance of humanity, and the worship of Allah Almighty. After his passing, his blessed shrine at Kichhauchha Sharif, Ambedkar Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh, India, became a center of devotion for countless people. Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees visit his sacred mausoleum to seek spiritual blessings and divine grace.
Risalah Qabriyyah (The Epistle from the Grave)
Among the remarkable legacies attributed to Hazrat Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA) is the Risalah Qabriyyah, a written testament regarded by his followers as a glad tiding and a spiritual message, renowned throughout the East and the West.
On the 20th of Muharram, he received a divine inspiration informing him that the time of his departure from this world was near. He discreetly conveyed this indication to his spiritual son, Haji al-Haramayn Fakhr al-Sadat Syed Abdul Razzaq Nur al-‘Ayn, who was the son of his sister and a descendant of Abdul Qadir al-Jilani.
On Tuesday, the 25th of Muharram, he entered his blessed grave. On Wednesday, the 26th of Muharram 808 AH, while inside the grave, he wrote this epistle. It is related that writing materials—a pen, ink, and paper—were miraculously made available to him. On Friday, the 28th of Muharram 808 AH, he departed from this temporary world and journeyed to the eternal abode.
Concerning His Funeral
Hazrat Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA) is reported to have said:
“Let the people of knowledge, wisdom, and the seekers of the spiritual path know that when the Divine command was given:
‘Return to your Lord, well-pleased and well-pleasing.’ (Qur’an 89:28)
this humble servant was brought into the Divine Presence accompanied by eighty thousand angels. Thereafter, I was taken beneath Sidrat al-Muntaha, where a heavenly proclamation was made:
‘You were sent to the world for a limited time to reform the beliefs and deeds of the people. Now the time has come, in accordance with the saying of the Prophet ﷺ, “Love of one’s homeland is part of faith,” to return to your true homeland.’
Despite my weakness and helplessness, I praised my Lord by saying:
‘La uhsi thana’an ‘alayka kama athnayta ‘ala nafsik.’
‘O Allah! I cannot enumerate Your praises as You have praised Yourself.’
Then the Divine command was given:
‘Eighty thousand angels, together with one thousand specially chosen servants from the Two Sacred Sanctuaries—Makkah al-Mukarramah and Madinah al-Munawwarah—as well as from Bayt al-Maqdis, one thousand Abdal from the West, one thousand hidden saints (Rijal al-Ghayb), and one thousand men of the unseen from Yemen and Sarandib (Sri Lanka), shall perform your ritual washing. Thereafter, they shall carry you to the heavens. Your funeral prayer shall be offered before the Sacred House (the Ka’bah), and then you shall be buried in the earth for the benefit of My servants, so that whoever visits your grave shall have his needs fulfilled and shall receive the glad tidings of forgiveness and Divine mercy.'”