A Muslim Convert Once Before

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Imam Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) said, “Always speak of awliya’ with respect, stay in their swuhbah and do their khidmat .  Never say a saint is superior to the other; you have no idea about it."

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Imam Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) said, “The ultimate knowledge about Allah   ( s.w.t. )  is to be certain that He Exists without a how, and without a place.”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Imam Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) said, “To reach the Love of Allah ( s.w.t. ), one should be in constant remembrance of the Almighty, reflect on His Blessings and Favours, strengthen the ties with the awliya’ of Allah ( s.w.t. ), and to obey His Commands, and pray to Allah ( s.w.t. ) for love.”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ In the year 555 AH, Imam Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) journeyed to Makkah for the haj .   During his visit to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, he offered his prayers at the Rawdhah.   In a loud voice, he addressed the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), “ as-Salaamu’Alaykum , my ancestor.” Then, a voice replied, “ Wa ‘Alaykum as-Salaam , my descendant.” On hearing this voice, Imam Ahmad ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) was overcome with ecstasy.   Many others in attendance heard the voice of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) at the same time.   With tears in his eyes, Imam Ahmad ar-Rifa’i ( q.s. ) disclosed to those present, that when he was away from the sacred resting place of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), his spirit used to visit, and kiss the blessed shrine of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ). He pleaded with the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) for physical touch, and requested that the hands be extended to enable the lips of the devotee to kiss them.   The Prophet ( s.a....