Stories of the Scholar Mohammad Amin Sheikho - Part Five: His Life, His Deeds, His Way to Al'lah

By Mohammad Amin Sheikho and A. K. John Alias Al-Dayrani

Mohammad Amin Sheikho
Birth: 1890 A.D.
Death: 1964 A.D.
Precept: Interpretation of the Holy Qur'an

CONTENTS
- Introduction - Stories of the Scholar – Part 5
- The Dignity of a Believing Officer.
- His Enemies Confessed to His Excellence.
- The Officer, a Repentant Criminal and a Chicken Coop.
- Danger Overcome on the Al-Qaboon Highway.
- Obsequious Behaviour Is not Tolerated.
- Superior Intelligence Resolves a Difficult Situation.
- The False Penitent Will Never Succeed.
- The Minister of War Yusuf Al- 'Azma and the Battle of Maysalun.
- The Tale of a Good Butcher and a Bad Butcher.
- The French Woman Learns the Reason for the Veil.
- Defending the Sheikh against a Murderous Mob.
- The Governor of the Castle Ensures Stability within Its Walls.
- Occasional Marital Privacy for Prisoners.
- The Irreverent Grocer Is Foiled.
- Prisoner in the Castle or Guest of Honour?
- A Complex Story of Punishment, Rebellion and Mercy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amin-sheikho.com
• Release date: Apr 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9783963764776

Mohammad Amin Sheikho

Mohammad Amin Sheikho (1890-1964 A.D / 1308-1384 A.H)Early YearsM. Amin Sheikho was born in al-Ward district in Sarouja Quarter, one of the historical districts of Damascus, in Syria which was called mini-Istanbul during the period of the Ottoman rule. He was raised in an Arab style house situated opposite the famous public al-Ward Bathhouse. This house stands there to the present day.M. Amin Sheikho was still young when his father, the merchant Ismael Sheikho, departed this world. Mohammad Saleem, the only and elder brother of Mohammad Amin, was assigned as a director of the Military School during the Ottoman rule.EducationAt the age of twelve the boy who was to become the great scholar was enrolled at al-Rashidiya School, he then went on to complete his studies in Amber, the Royal Ottoman Faculty in Damascus. He received many certificates of praise and commendation during the Ottoman rule and then under the reign of King Faisal in Syria. There are many copies of these certificates still preserved in trustworthy hands.AchievementsDuring the period of the Turkish rule, he was head of many police-stations in Damascus and its dependent counties. He was a shining example to all for his unfailing attention to duty, the vitality with which he approached every task, and the high level of achievement in many varied deeds which were of great benefit to mankind.During the French mandate he was appointed a director of the prisons of the citadel of Damascus.When the great Syrian uprising took place against the French forces, he helped the revolutionaries in every conceivable way until they placed the seal of the revolution in his trustworthy hands. Due to his subversive activities he fell foul of the French governor of Syria resulting in an order being issued for his execution; but the Almighty God saved him. During this period he was compliant in many attempts to overthrow French rule.He was the companion of Sheikh Amin Kuftaro for almost twenty years and following his death M. Amin Sheikho followed his footsteps and became the next in succession to guide and teach the disciples of the eminent sheikh.His assemblies were distinguished by the profound level of wisdom with which he imparted his teaching and guidance.He took great care to draw the attention of his followers to beware of the tales of the Israelites which defame the biography of the noble persons, the Envoys of God (pth), and of anything ascribed to them which conflicts their perfection and impeccability.In 1953, the famous coeval philosopher, Sir John Godolphin Bennett came from Britain to visit him. He remained in his company for three weeks that were filled with lengthy dialogues about the religion of Islam and its actuality.Sir John asked M. Amin Sheikho many questions about the exact definition of the ‘spirit’ and the difference between that and the ‘soul’, as well as asking for clarification about Godly Justice, a topic which he found difficult to comprehend. As a result of this visit, Sir John practised Islamic legislation and performed the prayers along with the followers of the scholar.This visit was referred to briefly in the autobiography of Sir John Bennett in his book Witness; but after his death, a book containing special personal recollections written by Sir John was published in 1975 under the title Journeys in Islamic Countries, wherein he spoke in detail about this meeting. In this book he gave a detailed account of the personality and character of M. Amin Sheikho, and of his lectures and disciples. He also mentioned the great benefits he had derived from his life-changing meeting with him.During his lectures M. Amin Mohammad Amin Sheikho pointed frequently to the belief in the return of Jesus Christ (pth), from the Islamic perspective. He also indicated the near advent of this significant world event as, according to his explanations, most of the conditions for this momentous Hour had been fulfilled.This was disclosed in his book: The Envoy of Peace Looms on the Horizon: the Return of Jesus Christ.In referring to his meeting with M. Amin Sheikho, Sir John made mention of this issue in his two books: Witness and Journeys in Islamic Countries.Professor Abdul-Kadir John, alias al-Dayrani, published the book Stories of M. Amin Sheikho wherein he writes in detail about many deeds performed by his teacher, Mohammad Amin Sheikho.One of His PupilsProfessor Abdul-Kadir John, alias al-Dayrani is the best known and most distinguished among the pupils of M. Amin Sheikho. He received a certificate of General Education (a Syrian certificate which included the study of nine different sciences). Prof. al-Dayrani collected and verified more than fifty books which were dictated by M. Amin Sheikho and written on his behalf. Therefore his name is always mentioned in association with the name of Mohammad Amin Sheikho.PublicationsM. Amin Sheikho dictated to his pupils many books about Islam in the Arabic language, some of which have been translated into English and French. The following are just some of these:1- Interpretation of the Great Qur’an (Lights of Descending & Realities of Meaning)2- Interpretation of Am’ma Section of the Qur’an3- Impeccability of Prophets4- Am’ma Encyclopedia (The Compassionate’s Gifts in Interpreting the Qur’an)5- Al-Amin Interpretation of the Great Qur’an (The Previous Nations)6- Visiting the Prophet (cpth) and the Effect of His Love in Elevating the Believing Spirit7- High Grades of Al-Taqwa (Seeing by Al’lah’s Light)—The Jewels of Rules in Explaining the Pillars of Islam8- The Sources of Spring Water in the World9- The Reality of Our Master Mohammad (cpth) Appearing in the Twentieth Century10- Proclaiming God’s Love (The Scientific and Qur’anic Motivations for Halal Slaughter)11- Islam... What is the Veil for? What is Divorce for? What is Polygamy for?12- The West has Liberated Man from Slavery—Did Islam not do the same?13- The Great Scientific Discovery—the Astonishing Reality of the Six Days and the Seven Heavens14- The Amazing Miracle of the Fundamental Verses of the Book in the Twenty-first Century15- Cupping: the Marvelous Medicine that Cures Heart Disease, Paralysis, Haemophilia, Migraine, Sterility and Cancer—A Prophetic Medical Science in its New Perspective16- The Reality of Tamerlane the Great Appears in the Twenty-first Century17- The Envoy of Peace Looms on the Horizon: The Return of Jesus Christ18- Secrets of the Seven Praising Verses19- Goodbye to the Doctor of al-Muqawqis (Cyrus, Patriarch of Alexandria)Radio and TV Programmes- Illuminative Speculations: al-Quds Radio Station broadcasting from Syria- Lights for Humankind: the Lebanese Radio Station al-Tawheed- Cupping, an Arabic Discovery Spreads All over the World and Cupping, a Prophetic Medical Science in Its New Scientific Perspective: Two documentary films which have been broadcast on many world satellite stations such as Iqraa TV, Sharjah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and others- Proclaiming God’s Love (The Scientific and Qur’anic Motivations for Halal Slaughter): A documentary film that has been broadcast on Iqraa TV, and satellite stations in Al-Sharjah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and others- The Descent of the Prophets: A computer programmeA Glimpse of his distinguished thoughts and viewsHe disclosed the true meaning of the letters (acronyms) that are reported at the beginning of the Fortresses of the Holy Qur’an, which was not understood by previous Muslim scholars and said that, “Al’lah knows best His Purpose behind them.”He disproved the stories which are ascribed wrongly to the noble Envoy Mohammad (cpth), such as the story of his being affected by the action of magic, the story of cutting his noble chest (cpth), and all that would put him (cpth) in the wrong.He elucidated that the noble Prophets are impeccable in all of their words, actions and deeds.- He was the first in the world to reveal the source of fresh spring and river water, which is the ice of the North and South Poles.- He gave an exact definition of the ‘human spirit’ and clarified the difference between that and the ‘soul’.- He differentiated between the ‘mind’ and ‘thought’.- He talked about al-Azal world, the very beginning of creation in the world of immaterial spirits, and demonstrated the Godly Justice in that world and the reason for the coming of mankind to this world.- He elucidated the wisdom in turning towards al-ka’ba when communicating with God (praying); he explained the reason for fasting and the meaning of the Night of al-Qadr (Evaluation) and how to attain it.- He interpreted from the noble Qur’an how to derive the proportion of Zakat (almsgiving), and determined it as 2.5%.- He revealed the wisdom folded in each ritual of the rites of pilgrimage.- He clarified the benefits of the medical Prophetic commandments about using an enema of amylum suspension, medicinal castor oil, and the application of leeches for medical purposes.- He called attention to certain eminent personalities who had been wronged by history. Specifically he spoke of Tamerlane the famous conqueror who is known to be a blood-thirsty warrior conqueror in the Middle East, while Asian peoples revere him and regard him as a holy man who had spread the religion of Islam in their countries. In this respect, a book was issued by M. Amin Sheikho under the title: The Reality of Tamerlane the Great.Mohammad Amin Sheikho and CuppingThe name of Mohammad Amin Sheikho is always referred to whenever ‘cupping’ is mentioned, for it is he who disclosed its correct rules. Following the death of M. Amin Sheikho his pupil, Prof. Abdul-Kadir al-Dayrani undertook scientific research about this operation with the participation of a large medical team composed of many professors and doctors specialised in various medical ailments. When the results of the analysis of the blood extracted by the cupping operation were declared and many patients were healed completely after being cupped, the procedure soon spread widely and had a wide following in many societies. The results were published in many magazines and journals, and as a result, many medical people began to apply the procedure according to the exact and correct conditions that had been laid down.Mohammad Amin Sheikho and the reason for Mentioning the Name of Al’lah over a CarcassHe emphasised the necessity of mentioning Al’lah’s Name aloud over animals as they are being slaughtered, for when they hear Al’lah’s Name their meat becomes pure and free of any microbes.Prof. al-Dayrani also subjected the ideas of his teacher, M. Amin Sheikho, in this field, to a scientific study. A great number of doctors and university professors carried out scientific research, the like of which had never been attempted before. They took many samples of the meat of cattle, some of which were slaughtered while mentioning Al’lah’s Name aloud over them, while others were slaughtered without the benefit of this blessing. A comparative analysis of the outcome was then carried out. The results of this study were also published in a book issued on behalf of M. Amin Sheikho, entitled, Proclaiming God’s Love (The Scientific and Qur’anic Motivations for Halal Slaughter.Mrs. Salma Estwani, the BBC correspondent in Syria at that time, announced the scientific results of this study and interviewed the doctors and researchers who carried it out.Also, after revealing these results, many signboards were posted in Damascus streets on which it was written, ‘How terrible! Is it true that we Syrians eat microbes through our food?’ And on the front of the citadel of Damascus, a large sign was displayed on which was printed: ‘The Great Syrian Humane Scholar Mohammad Amin Sheikho.’

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The Dignity of a Believing Officer

He had no other choice but to act as he did; his wisdom prompted him to demonstrate such a reaction in order to stave off the dreadful situation and put an end to the farce instigated by the arrogant Turkish officer.

A blanket of silence and an awful feeling of terror fell throughout the whole of government house, for all the officers and staff were thunderstruck at what they had just heard. They stood perfectly still, as if frozen to the spot, and gaped in amazement, hardly able to believe what had just taken place!

‘Is it possible?’ they all asked themselves, ‘did this really happen? Oh... how dare he?’ Yes, indeed! In the middle of the presidential palace, in the actual presence of not only a crowd of Turkish officers, but also the two most important men in the country: the governor-general and the commander-in-chief who were both in the building... the Arab officer, Mohammad Amin Sheikho, caring nothing for any one of them, brought out his revolver and shot in the direction of a Turkish officer!

Everyone who saw the event and those who heard the shooting were overcome by a sense of awe and terror when faced with this shocking situation. As for the officer whom Mohammad Amin had aimed at, when he saw the revolver directed towards him the words of mockery stopped inside his mouth which was agape due to its owner’s stupefaction. This quickly turned into dreadful dismay as the sound of shooting reverberated in his ears. He felt his heart fall to his boots as the bullet flashed past his ear; with the shock of this his power faded and his arrogance vanished, while his heart palpitated strongly and irregularly as though it would become detached from his body.

Truly, this incident was a great deterrent for him: after this lesson his spirit would never again dare to suggest that he should involve himself in troubles with the Arab officer Aslan, not even with so much as a single derogatory word. For he found him to be a man who cared for nothing, not even death, if anything should offend his dignity and pride.

This astonishing event took place when the eminent scholar was still an officer working in the government house in Damascus. There, all the officers, senior or junior, had the greatest respect for this reputable officer because of his humanity, his distinguished character and high sense of honour they sensed emanating from him, in addition to the success of his great feats, the likes of which they knew they were incapable of achieving. The awe-inspiring demeanour of our officer caused them to avoid showing or practicing any breach of God’s Orders in his presence.

We shall relate, dear reader, what caused this awful incident on that particular day. A group of officers were standing in the foyer of the building having a conversation, and from time to time they burst into raucous laughter.

They were engaged in their vulgar, sexual jokes when one of them noticed Aslan, the Arab officer, coming towards them. He hastily turned to the Turkish officer standing beside him who was still uttering shameful words, ‘Hush! Be careful, don’t say any more now.’

The Turkish officer looked at his friend and saw that his face had turned deathly pale, so he turned to see who or what had caused his friend’s confusion.

In the meantime, Officer Sheikho was still walking towards the main door of the building and approaching the crowd of officers. The Turkish officer looked at him and realised that he was an officer equal to him in rank, so he turned back to his friend and asked in amazement, ‘What’s wrong with you? I thought you were warning me of the commander-in-chief! Are you cautioning me about an officer equal to me in rank?’

‘He is a sheikh (a religious scholar),’ answered the first officer who could hardly utter his words for he could see how close Aslan was to them and could easily hear them.

A bellow of laughter issued from the haughty, conceited Turkish officer followed by a particularly rude comment full of scorn as he looked at the Arab officer and mocked him, ‘Sh... sh..sh... eikh... Ha... ha... ha...! Sh..sh... shei... kh..kh!’

But no sooner had he finished saying this than the sound of a shot rang out, sounding as loud as a cannon-shot in the large hall of the government house as it resounded like a clap of thunder on the ears of the uncouth, aggressive officer. Although the bullet zoomed past his ear and did not scathe him, he felt as though it had hit him and exploded in his head, so he fell to the floor with his eyes bulging, and trembling from head to toe with fear and alarm.

The bullet went straight through a wooden wall and continued on its path to pass between two clerks without touching them and eventually it settled in the outer wall of the hall!

Silence prevailed throughout the entire building, for everybody had either witnessed the event or heard the thunderous sound, and they stood speechless and motionless, their hearts fluttering, totally overcome by a state of shock.

Aslan, our high-minded officer, continued unflinchingly on his way, caring for nothing, until he left the hall and came to the outer square of the government house. He left them all behind, lost in a state of shock, the brazen officer still lying flat on the floor, senseless and seized by violent fear.

The governor-general was in his office with the commander-in-chief when he heard the shot so, naturally, he became alarmed and jumped to his feet. He sent the commander-in-chief to inquire about the matter. The chief commandant dashed out of the room like a bolt of lightning and, overwhelmed with anxiety, he asked the officers in the hall who had fire a gun. Their faces blushed with embarrassment as the brother officers reluctantly told their commander that it was Aslan. Without waiting for any further details about the incident, the commandant turned back to the office he had come from and spoke directly to the governor-general, the ruler of the country.

‘Your Honour! All is well. Some mischievous children tossed fireworks into the hall, but the gendarmes have thrown them out.’

When the governor knew that it was only children playing, he calmed down and regained his composure. Fortunately, the commander-in-chief did not ask for any further explanation of the event nor did he instigate further inquiries as to what had moved the Arab officer to commit such a grave, lawless act inside the inviolable house of government. This is because his friendly relations with Aslan, his firm trust in the wisdom of this honest officer and the magnificent measures he consistently took in the problems and difficulties that faced him in all his duties, made the commander-in-chief have absolute faith that there must have been a good reason and motive behind Aslan’s behaviour and that he had definitely acted in the most correct and appropriate way.

The commander did not tell the governor that there really had been a shooting, nor did he even approach the Arab officer involved. He allowed the serious event to pass and be forgotten as if nothing had happened.

Truly, the commander had such faith in our officer that the event of the shooting, despite its gravity, seemed a frivolous matter when compared to the many glorious performances of this humane officer.

It was Al’lah’s Will to defend the faith and dignity of this humane officer and to maintain him as an honourable, reverend master at the height of Godly Glory.

Thus, through the devilment of the Turkish officer who had dared to belittle Officer Sheikho, He raised him above all the Turkish officers, a matter which made them deem him a man to be reckoned with even more than before. They were afraid to misbehave with him, even in jest, due to their appreciation of his awe-inspiring personality and high prestige that was imprinted in their hearts.

As for that flippant, ill-mannered officer, he received due payment for his insolence, and thereafter he never dared to mention the name of our righteous officer or even look at his noble face.

This was the proper outcome, for glory belongs only to God, to His Envoy² and to all true believers.

His Enemies Confessed to His Excellence

When Mohammad Amin Sheikho, the security officer, held the post of section manager in al- Zabadani, he girded his loins and prepared to work hard to overcome the troubles and strife which afflicted his country. This caused him no difficulty, as he was accustomed to tackling these matters in a positive and straightforward manner: by chasing criminals and arresting them until eventually the whole region capitulated to his justice.

In this way, the security situation was stabilised and order restored once again. Peace spread throughout the region and again people were able to go out of their houses safely and untroubled, after they had spent a long time being afraid and concerned. They had feared for their lives because of the criminal elements that prevailed in that area and the villages around it. But now, due to the brave deeds of Officer Sheikho, they were able to leave the safety of their houses in order to go to work and tend their orchards, with smiles on their faces.

Indeed, this officer spared no effort and sacrificed a lot of time along with his soldiers – who were, in fact, repentant criminals – in order to establish peace and security all over this region.

The people of the region fully realised all this and saw the results with their own eyes, for there was now a great difference in the security of the region between the period preceding Officer Sheikho taking up this post and the period that followed it. This is particularly significant when we know that the Ottoman State had failed to control the region of which we write, as it was adjacent to Lebanon. This gave the criminals the opportunity to flee into Lebanon where they could be protected by the international Law of the Protectorate which prevented the Ottoman authorities from having any power inside the Protectorate for any reason whatsoever.

To show the excellence of his deeds, dear reader, we should point out that after only one year of Officer Sheikho holding the post of regional manager, fresh produce and other goods were flowing freely in to the market once again, and the normal daily activities of buying and selling were safely resumed.

It had been many days since the commander had last visited this region in order to inspect the situation. There existed a firm relationship between this commander and Mohammad Amin: a relationship of love and appreciation which gave the humane officer a special and distinguished position in the eyes of the commander. In fact, it was a position that was higher than that of all the other officers because of his great achievements and unique successes.

This close relationship meant that they would often visit one another, especially when Mohammad Amin held a post away from the government house in the city of Damascus, where the commander worked.

It had been some time since the last meeting between the commander and the officer when Mohammad Amin decided to visit the commander and, as usual, he wanted to take a gift with him, but what should it be? He decided to take two baskets of apples, for the apples of this region are the finest in the world.

The following morning he rushed off to Damascus taking with him a large quantity of these delicious apples and, upon his arrival, he went straight to the commander’s house with a porter carrying the two baskets.

The exemplary master knocked gently at the door and waited patiently. After a few moments, the door was opened to reveal the commander and what a shock he received! He had not expected such a visitor on this day and at this time! He stared at the face of the benevolent master, and