The life of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqui

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqui (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) was born on 4 Rabe’e Ul Aakhir 1246 Hijri in Nanded.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam is a descendant of Hadhrat Umar Farooq (May Allah Ta'ala be well pleased with him) through 38 generations.  After 5 years of age, he completed the recitation of the Holy Quran under Hadhrat Maulana Syed Shah Bad'eeuddin Sahab Sabri Rifai Qandahari (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him).  He started the memorization of the Holy Quran at age 7 under Hafidh Amjed Ali Sahab and completed it at the age of 11.

 

After completing Hifz, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam completed his introductory education under his father Hadhrat Maulana Shujauddin (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him).  He learnt the other Islamic sciences under Maulana Abdul Haleem Firangi Mahalli and Maulana Abdul Hai Firangi Mahalli (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on them).  Even his teachers were surprised at the abilities which Allah Ta'ala had endowed him with.

 

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam gave his pledge (Ba'yah) to Hadhrat Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him).  After completion of Suluk, Hadhrat Imdadullah (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) granted him the Khilafah in all the orders of Tasawwuf and gave him authorization to accept and instruct disciples.

 

In 1282 Hijri, he got married to the daughter of Haji Muhammad Ameeruddin Sahab.  In 1285 Hijri, he got appointed in the department of revenue.  He resigned from this job in 1287 Hijri.

 

The incident of his resignation is also strange.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam left the job as he was asked to write an interest-based transaction.  The superior officer did not want to accept the resignation and promised that he would never be asked to do so again.  But Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam said:  This leniency is only until you are here.  I cannot expect everyone to be so lenient and this is a job, so I will have to obey whatever the superior says.  Many relatives and friends all tried to talk him out of doing so, but he did not relent.  From now on, he busied himself in teaching and instructing.  This was the time of difficulties and troubles, but Shaykh Ul Islam never minded any of this and continued teaching and instructing students.

 

In 1292 Hijri Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam decided to go for Haj.  After completion of Haj, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) went to pay his respects to Hadhrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him), then went to Madina and then returned.

 

He again went for Haj in 1301 Hijri and then again in 1305 Hijri.  This time, he stayed in Madina for 3 years and spent much of his time reading in the Shaykh Ul Islam Library or Mahmoodia Library.  He spent a lot of money and got the following books copied:

 

Kanzul Ummal (9 volumes, full) in Hadith

 

Al Jawahir An Naqi ‘Ala Sunan Baihaqi in Hadith

 

Al Ahadeeth Al Qudsiyyah in Hadith

 

Jame Ul Masaneed lil Imam A’adham in Hadith

 

When he went to meet his Shaykh, Hadhrat Imdadullah (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) asked him: What command did you get?  He said: the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered to go to Deccan.  I had come with the intention of Hijrah i.e. with the intention of staying here forever.  Now I am in a dilemma.  Hadhrat Imdadullah (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) said: Follow the order.  In these days, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam’s sister and son, both passed away into the presence of Allah Ta'ala.  Hadhrat Imdadullah (May Allah Ta'ala shower His mercy on him) said: Following the order of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) will lead to the blessings of both the worlds.  Do not hesitate a bit.  Now, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam started for Deccan with a heavy heart.

 

The services which he performed for the Ummah in general and for the Muslims of the Deccan and the subcontinent in particular can be seen in other articles.

 

In the early part of 1336 Hijri, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam started suffering from cancer.  This disease progressed quietly and reached the final stage.  The Nizam of Hyderabad was informed of this when he was in Mumbai, (then Bombay).  He gave the order that Dr. Yar Jung and other able surgeons be consulted and their opinion be sought.  They decided to operate.  After the operation Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam remained subconscious.  Three hours after the operation, Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam passed away into the presence of Allah Ta'ala.

 

Inna Lillahi inna ilaihi rajiun.