Tag Archive
Mawlana Gangohi and the Wali Allah Tradition
Shaykh al-Islam Abu Mas’ud Rashid Ahmad Gangohi is the son of Hidayat Allah Ansari. He was born in 1244 AH, and learnt from Mawlana Mamluk ‘Ali [Nanautwi], Mawlana ‘Abd al-Ghani [Dehlawi], Mawlana Ahmad Sa’id [Dehlawi], and Mawlana Imdad Allah [Muhajir Makki] etc. I personally studied a large portion of Sunan Abi Dawud from him. Allah… »
Brief notes on Shaykh al-Hind
Shaykh al-Hind Mawlana Mahmud Hasan was my teacher. During my stay at Dar al-’Ulum Deoband my sole reliance was upon him. His father’s name was Dhu ‘l-Fiqar ‘Ali. His genealogy stretches back to the Umayyad branch of the Quraysh. Mawlana Mahmud Hasan was born in 1268 AH/1851 CE. He gained primary education from his father… »
The Reality of Tasawwuf (Part Two)
Shaykh al-Islam Mawlana Husayn Ahmad Madani (may Allah enlighten his resting place) has also stressed in his letters that the original purpose of Suluk is ihsan. In one epistle he writes, “My respected one. The original purpose of Suluk is ihsan — ‘that you worship Allah as if you are seeing him’ (Al-Hadith). In other… »
Gatherings of Dhikr in Madrasahs
A collection of letters between three leading ‘ulama detailing the need and importance of establishing gatherings of dhikr in madrasahs. Consisting of letters between the Grand Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Muhammad Shafi’, Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi and Muhaddith al-’Asr Mawlana Sayyid Muhammad Yusuf Binnori (may Allah enlighten their… »
Advices of Hakim al-Umma: Part Five
By Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi
Ease comes after effort: Nowadays this has become a common malady, people first desire ease and then they will start the work. The law is first start the work and ease will follow. Cause of hope and despair: Sin has the characteristic of cultivating hopelessness and despair in a person and… »
A Letter Of Condolence Upon The Deaths Of Two Great Savants
By Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki
”From the lowly Imdad Allah (may Allah forgive him) to the blessed service of my dear Molwi Khalil al-Rahman (may his love for the sake of Allah remain forever.) After the sunnah greeting and a prayer for goodness, I acknowledge receipt of your dear letter. It gave the heartbreaking news of… »
Condition of Pride in Isbal
By Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi
In regards to wearing trousers below the ankles (isbal) it is mentioned in a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said that [on the day of judgment] Allah Most High will not look with mercy towards the person… »
Qur’anic Eloquence
By Mawlana Qasim Nanautwi
Balaghah (eloquence) is different from fasahah (articulacy). The former constitutes excellence in congruity and the latter excellence in itself. To elaborate, words are but garments for the meanings they contain, and garments differ in that sometimes they suit the wearer and sometimes they do not. Some of them are made from… »
Tasawwur al-Shaykh
By Mawlana Zakariyya Kandhalwi
It is also called the exercise (shughal) of Rabitah, Barzakh and Wasta (see Ta’lim al-Din); to the mashayikh of Tasawwuf it is a very important exercise. The mashayikh have written many benefits of this. Some seniors said it is unconditionally (mutlaqan) impermissible. According to this slave, this is incorrect, as Tasawwur al-Shaykh… »
The Pride of Deoband: Shaykh Muhammad Sarfaraz Khan Safdar
On the 5th of May 2009, the great researcher (muhaqqiq) and hadith scholar of our age Shaykh Sarfaraz Khan Safdar (may Allah shower His infinite mercy upon him) passed away at the age of 98. Mawlana Sarfraz Khan ibn Nur Ahmad Khan ibn Gul Ahmad Khan was born in 1914 in the city of Mansehra,… »