Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Farooqui (May Allah sanctify his secret) - Life and teachings

As Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) had educated and trained the kings of the Asafiya dynasty as a result of which they were at the forefront of the patronage of Islam and expressed their special desire to propagate Islam.  When Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan became the 7th Nizam, on 19th Jamadi Ul Awwal, 1330 Hijri, he appointed Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) as the Chief (Nazim) of all religious affairs and the “Sadr Us Sudoor” of the Kingdom of Deccan.  However, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) refused by saying that the maximum limit for government service is 55 years and he was already 66 years old.  However, the king declared, “In these times, there is no one better than you in the country to handle these affairs.”  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 24; Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 80-82)

Eventually Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) accepted the said post and his reforms started to be implemented at the governmental level.  He carried on his services regardless of caste or creed.  Within a short space of 2 years, the post of Minister of religious affairs was handed over to Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) and he was made, “Shaykh Ul Islam” (the highest scholar of the land) and he remained so until his demise.  In this tenure, there was no aspect of the Ummah in which reforms and revival were not carried out by Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His Mercy on him).