Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqui and the revival of the Ummah

 Allah Most High has made His Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) the chief of all Prophets.  His sacred personage has also been made the Seal of all Prophets.  Now no prophet of any kind can come.  His Prophethood will remain until the Day of Judgment.

 

        To propagate and revive Islam, to spread the rules of Islam and to revive the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Almighty Allah sends such scholars in the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who spread the teachings of Islam.  Allah Most High guides these scholars to propagate Islam so much so that they don’t fear any king or army.  No worldly force can shake their firm intentions.  Except Allah, they don’t fear anyone.

 

In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says the following about such pious people:

 

Those (bygone) people used to communicate the messages of Allah, and fear Him, and they were afraid of none but Allah. And Allah is Sufficient as a Reckoner.  Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Last of the Prophets (ending the chain of the Prophets). And Allah is the Perfect Knower of everything.  Surah Ahzaab (33:39-40)

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had migrated from Hyderabad, Deccan, to Madina with the intention of staying in Madina for the rest of his life.  However, he received the order to come back to Deccan from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was worried that he had become restless in the longing of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and wanted to settle in Madina.  If I go back to Deccan, then I will again be separated from the Beloved (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He immediately went to Makkah and presented this matter to his spiritual guide and mentor Hadhrat Imdaadullah Muhajir Makki (May Allah shower His mercy on him).  Hadhrat Imdaadullah (May Allah shower His mercy on him) told him that the prosperity of both worlds lies in following the order of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  It is compulsory to obey the order and there can be no hesitation.  (Ma’arif Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 6)

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) desired to settle down in Madina and the will of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was that he should serve Islam in Deccan.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) sacrificed his own desire on the wish of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and returned to Hyderabad, Deccan.  In effect, this was a declaration that the task of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was not only to live in Madina but to bring the populace close to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and to ignite the fire of love of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in their souls and beings.

 

Founding Daairatul Ma’arif

 

After returning to Hyderabad, Deccan, in 1308 Hijri, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded an research organization on international repute, “Daairatul Ma’arif” to publish Arabic books of Islamic sciences.  To manage these tasks, he set up a committee and made them responsible for all affairs of the organization.  Many books were published through this organization.  Those pearls and diamonds which this organization cut, polished and presented to the world can never be forgotten by the world of scholarship.  Even today, this organization enjoys international repute and has become a great mark of recognition for Hyderabad.

 

During his stay in Madina, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had spent his own money and had obtained copies of various books of Hadith.  Among them, the most important was Kanz Ul ‘Ummal.  This is such a great book of Hadith that it is a compendium of 70 other books of Hadith.  It was 46,616 Hadith and Traditions.  This is nothing but the blessing of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) that this book got published through Daairatul Ma’arif.  Then the world realized this greatness of this book and it has become a source of benefit for the entire world.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 67)

 

After returning from Hijaz, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) again busied himself in teaching and other educational pursuits, so that the true message of Islam could be propagated, the actual tenets of belief are spread, the beliefs and deeds of the Ummah are reformed and the populace could gain guidance and stride forward on the path of progress.

 

Strengthening the means of reforming the Ummah

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) used all possible means to reform the Ummah.  On one hand, he wrote scholarly books.  On the other hand, he established the Asifiya Central Library (now famous as State Central Library) to preserve and provide books.  The establishment of this library is only due to the result of his efforts only, which has proved to be a source of great benefit for scholars and populace alike.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 68)

 

For the guidance of the Ummah, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded the Dar Ul Ifta (Center for Shariah rulings) in Jamia Nizamia under his personal supervision.  From that day till date, millions of Fatawa (Shariah edicts) have been given.  The rulings given by Jamia Nizamia are valued and accepted by all courts on the country.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 76)

 

Likewise, for publication of Islamic scholarly works, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded “Ishaat Uloom.”  From this organization, 100s of books about tenets of faith, performance of worship, daily affainst have been printed and even today, this is going on.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 60)

 

Establishment of Jamia Nizamia and its aims and objectives

 

The aim behind establishing Jamia Nizamia, which is a great Islamic university, was to reawaken the spirit of religiousness and piety in the populace, to adorn them with Islamic education, to propagate Islam, to raise and train the youth of the community for these purposes, to train them in writing and speaking so as to make them able enough to defend the Ahle Sunnah and to propagate the true tenets of faith.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 70, Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 135/134)

 

By the grace of Allah, Jamia Nizamia has absorbed this from its founder and is continuously progressing along these lines.  It is a fact that the graduates of this university are serving Islam in India and abroad.  On one hand, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) shouldered the responsibility of training a new generation of scholars and on the other hand, the task of benefiting his disciples was also going on.  It is a historical fact that Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) would give lessons of the famous classic of Tasawwuf, “Futuhaat-e-Makkiya” after Salaat Ul ‘Isha and they would go on until the time for Tahajjud started.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 33)

 

In this lesson, selected students of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him), his caliphs and disciples would attend.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has also written explanatory notes on this book as well.  This book is preserved in the library of Jamia Nizamia.

 

Construction and restoration of mosques

 

As the first step in safeguarding the tenets of Islam, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) got mosques constructed all over the world.  The mosques in Australia and in Basra are to be specially mentioned here.  Those mosques which had fallen into disrepair in and around the city were restored.  Those mosques which had fallen into disuse were revived.  Imam, muezzin and other staff was appointed for these mosques.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 50, Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 100)

 

Establishment of Madarsas

 

It is a historical fact that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) established a Madarsa in the house of Arqam before mosques were constructed.  When the lanes of Madina were illuminated with the radiance of Islam, then the Teacher of the whole universe (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) sent Hadhrat Mus’ab bin Umair (May Allah be well pleased with him) as a teacher there and he instructed the people of Madina in the Holy Quran and Hadith.

 

Due to this excellence, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) paid special attention to establishment of Madarsas and their progress.  He spent huge amounts for this purpose.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 48)

 

Guiding the community

 

An acute need was felt for a standard syllabus for Imams, muezzins, etc .so that they could perform their duties properly.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) ordered that a model syllabus be prepared for it.  This work was assigned to a student of his, Maulana Qazi Ghulam Mohiuddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him).  He fulfilled this work and it has since become famous as “Ahle Khidmaat Shariah” and even today this is considered the standard text for teaching the basics of Islam to anyone.  By the grace of Allah, to enable each and everyone to gain benefit, this book has been translated into English and published.

 

Other steps for the reformation of the Ummah

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded “Anjuman Islahe Musalmaanan” to improve the manners and etiquette of Muslims.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 52; Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 88)

 

He declared usage of wine, drugs, etc. as a punishable offence.  He gave orders that all wine shops be transferred to the outskirts of the city.  It was forbidden to open wine shops on religious and auspicious occasions.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 52, Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 88)

 

Even in Ramadhan, functions would go on during the daytime.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) forbade that.  Hotels would be open during the day.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) gave orders that they should be curtained during the day.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 100; Ma’arif Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 14)

 

In the days of the Nizam, the weight measures were not identical in the whole kingdom.  Thus, at the time of buying or selling, there would some discrepancy in the weight demanded and in the weight delivered, although the Shariah declares this as a serious sin.  The Ummah of Hadhrat Shu’aib (May peace be upon him) was punished because of this only.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) arranged for the weights to be standardized and thus checked the evils that were taking root because of this.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 58; Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 106)

 

People would use the stray pages of Islamic books for packing, etc.  To save the community from this disrespect, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded “Anjuman Tahaffuz Auraaq Mutabarrika.”  He assigned to them the responsibility of preserving stray pages of Islamic books, especially the stray pages of the Holy Quran.  (Anwaar ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 107)

 

During his stay in Madina, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was informed that a certain person was subsisting on soil mixed in water and wasn’t letting anyone know that he was needful.  On hearing this, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was so profoundly affected that he immediately founded an organization for the assistance of the poor folk of Madina.  He supervised it as long he stayed in Madina.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 41)

 

The lunar calendar depends on the sighting of the moon and usually, there is confusion as to whether the moon has been sighted or not.  This confusion and anxiety is most palpable at the time of Ramadhan and ‘Eid Ul Fitr.  To quell this anxiety, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) founded a committee “Ruyat-e-Hilaal Committee”.  He included erudite scholars and astronomers in this committee and would also personally supervise it.  This committee is still serving the populace in Hyderabad, Deccan and surrounding areas.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 56; Anwaar Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 112-115)

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) also streamlined the offices of Qazaath (office of Islamic rulings).  He issued directives for the Qazi.  The “Syahnama” that we see today in Deccan is an achievement of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him).  It is nothing but a favor of Shaykh Ul Islam that he anticipated the problems of marriage, divorce, etc. and took steps to prevent them whose importance we can realize in today’s times.  (Matla ‘Ul Anwaar, Pg. No. 52)

 

Thus, the whole life of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam was spent in revival of Islam, in the reformation of the Ummah and in welfare of ht community.  He has left deep, lasting and illuminating impressions on all aspects of religious service.  All the different classes of Muslims drew benefit from him.  The world can never forget his services to the Ummah.  His achievements will always be a beacon of guidance for Muslims.  The scholars and the laymen will keep drawing benefit from his erudite works.

 

May Allah guide us to be steadfast on the teachings of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah shower His mercy on him) and bless and illuminate us through him.