Doing The Ni’aaz of Imam Ja’far On 22nd Rajab

According to Islamic law, offering Niyaaz in the name of Hazrat Imam Ja‘far Saadiq RadiAllahu Anhu in the form of Koonde (Kheer-Puri) is permissible and valid. The Great Jurist of India, Huzoor Sadrush Shariah Alaihir Rahmah, states in Bahaar-e-Shariat: “In the month of Rajab, bowls of Purees (Koonde) are prepared for the purpose of conveying reward (Esaal e Thawaab) to Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Ja‘far Saadiq RadiAllahu Anhu, and after the recitation of Fatihah, they are distributed. This practice is permissible. However, some people have imposed a restriction that the food must be consumed only at that place; this restriction is unfounded. There is also a book associated with these Koonde (Kheer Puri Niyaaz) entitled Daastaan-e-Ajeeb, which some people read on this occasion. The contents of this book have no authentic basis; therefore, it must

not be read.” (Bahaar-e-Shariat, Part 16, Page 244, Qaadri Kitaab Ghar, Bareilly Shareef) Similarly, when Hazrat Mufti Waqaaruddeen Alaihir Rahmah was asked about the Shar‘ee status of Koonde or Kheer Puri Niyaaz, he replied: “According to Ahle-Sunnat Wa Jama‘at, just as every Fatihah is permissible, so too is the Fatihah of Koonde, Kheer Puri. The so-called story of the woodcutter is fabricated. Proper etiquette has been prescribed regarding all types of food. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid: If something falls from the tablecloth, pick it up and eat it. Since the Qur’an is recited over food offered as Fatihah, Muslims show it greater respect. On this basis, some people imposed the condition that it must be eaten on the spot and not taken away. This condition has no foundation in the Shariah. The food may be eaten there or taken elsewhere. (Waqaarul-Fataawa Volume 1, Page 202) It is commonly observed that Koonde or Kheer–Puri offered in the name of Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Ja‘far Saadiq RadiAllahu Anhu is distributed on the 22nd of Rajab. However, even though this date neither corresponds to his blessed birth nor to his blessed demise, and even though the date of his passing (Wisaal) is the 15th of Rajab, there is no harm in doing the Niyaaz on the 22nd as people traditionally do it, as it is a form of Esaal e Thawaab and Esaal e Thawaab can be done at any time, as the intention is to send Thawaab to the souls of the pious and to attain their blessings.

However, it is more appropriate that Koonde or Kheer–Puri Niyaaz be offered on the 15th of Rajab, as this is the actual date of his blessed passing, as stated in Fataawa Faqeeh-e-Millat, Volume 2, Page 265: “The Niyaaz of Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Ja‘far Saadiq RadiAllahu Anhu should be offered on the 15th of Rajab, for his passing (Wisaal) occurred on that date.” Regarding a question pertaining to doing Kheer Puri Niyaaz on the 22nd, Huzoor Sayyidi Taajush Shariah Alaihir Rahmah says, To say that because the Shias did Niyaaz on 22nd, so to do it on 22nd is impermissible, is an incorrect claim. He further says, the right of doing Niyaaz is our Haq (Right). In other words, it is the Haq of the Sunnis and not the right of the Shias, because they are apostate. In the same session in response to the same question, Huzoor Sayyidi Muhad’dith e Kabeer Qiblah says: The 22nd of Rajab is the date of Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah’s RadiAllahu Anhu Wisaal, so the Shias make Niyaaz to rejoice (upon his death), but the Sunnis do it to send Thawaab to his Rooh (Soul). He further says, In this regard Mufti Shareef ul Haq Alaihir Rahmah used to say that Imam Ja’far RadiAllahu Anhu noticed that on this occasion the Shias were making Tabar’ra of (i.e. slandering) Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah RadiAllahu Anhu, so he initiated this Fatihah (of Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah) to oppose this practice of theirs. If there is a source for this, then it is fine, and even if there isn't, and the name

of Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah RadiAllahu Anhu is included, then this Niyaaz of Hazrat Imam Ja‘far Saadiq Radi Allahu Anhu (on the 22nd) will become a refutation of the Raafdhis as well. Huzoor Sayyidi Taajush Shariah Alaihir Rahmah commended this response of Huzoor Muhad’dith e Kabeer Qiblah and mentioned similar words which supported this view.

Note: It has been ascertained that the date of the passing of the Noble Companion of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, the Scribe of Revelation, Hazrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu‘awiyah RadiAllahu Anhu, is the 22nd of Rajab, 60 AH and the Wisaal of Sayyiduna Imam Ja’far is on the 15th of Rajab, but to make both their Niyaaz is Esaal e Thawaab, and there is no objection to making the Kheer Puri Niyaaz on either the 15th or the 22nd of Rajab. However, it should be free from all baseless activities.