10/11/2022
60 Urs e Shreef Of Hadhrat Muhaddith-E-Deccan A’arif billah Maulana Alhaj Abul Hasanaat Syed Abdullah Shah Sahab Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri ؒ
The services of Hadhrat Muhaddith-E-Deccan in the field of Hadith
The Mujaddid of the 14th century, our Master A’arif billah Maulana Alhaj Abul Hasanaat Syed Abdullah Shah Sahab Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) does not need any introduction. He is the scion of a revered family of Naldurug. Not only his family but the whole country can be proud of him. He is a Najeeb Ut Tarfain Syed i.e. both of his parents are descendants of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). His forefather Hadhrat Syed Ali (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) came to Bijapur, in the reign of Adil Shah, from Makkah on the orders of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
Naldurug was an important city in the reign of Adil Shah. Along with members of the royal family, many scholars and virtuous people also took up residence there. Among all those elite, Hadhrat Syed Shah Muhammad Qadri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was also there. Seeing the piety of Hadhrat Syed Ali (May Allah shower His Mercy on him), he betrothed his daughter to him. This family is from their progeny.
In light of their upright character and piety, even today they are respected and revered by all irrespective of religion and race.
The passing of time changed Naldurug. Neither the kingship of Adil Shah remained nor did that atmosphere, so father of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him), Hadhrat Muzaffar Shah Sahab (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) came to Hyderabad in his childhood for the sake of acquiring knowledge. He mastered not only the then-taught subjects, but also in Fiqh, Hadith etc. Soon he was reckoned among the celebrated people of Hyderabad.
In those days, a pious elder used to live in Hyderabad. His name was Hadhrat Gul Badshah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). He had strived a lot in the path of closeness to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and after living in seclusion for a large part of his life, had gained prominence as a Wali in his last days. Not only the common populace, but also elite were included in his circle of students and disciples. He married his only daughter to Hadhrat Muzaffar Shah Sahab (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). This pious lady was the mother of our master Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him).
Our master was born in Hyderabad on Friday, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah 1292 A.H at 5:00 in the morning. The mother of Hadhrat says that from the days of pregnancy itself, I was being given glad tidings of the birth of pious son. Before his birth, his elder brother had passed away in infancy. Because of this, his mother was very sad. During these days, a mystic came and said, “Daughter, don’t be sad! You are getting the return of what you have lost. Look at the sky! Your child can be seen coming.” She says that, “In my innocence and out of love of my deceased child, I thought that my dead son was being returned to me through the prayers of the mystic. The moment I looked at the sky, I saw a radiant lamp descending from the sky and entering my house. The radiance of it was such that till the limits of sight, the whole atmosphere became radiant and my eyes were dazzled by it.” After this the period of pregnancy started.
As an infant, Hadhrat never troubled his mother like other children. There was a particular time for every need of his. This made things easy for his mother. From his birth itself, signs of piety were apparent in him. His tasmiya khwani (bismillah) was performed by Hadhrat A’aqibat Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). His piety was such that in his last age, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered him to come to Him. Hadhrat A’aqibat Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) left for Madinah and died there.
With the tasmiya khwani educational responsibilities were placed on the shoulders of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). The Guide of today readied himself to traverse the highways of knowledge and learning under the direction of his teachers.
Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was raised in the best possible manner. His whole family was high-minded and pious. His childhood was spent hearing the blessed Dhikr of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). On coming of age, he had seen his elders following the Shariah and spending their nights in the worship of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).
His father was a pious person who followed the Shariah to the letter. His mother was the daughter of a Wali and was herself a very pious lady. They spent their energies in raising their blessed son. His mother’s method was such that even though the whole family used to be present in the house, but there used to be no hullabaloo in the house. Once between Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) and his sister, there was some difference in dividing a fruit. Their mother came and threw that fruit out of the house and told them that if they were found fighting again, she would deal with them in the same manner.
The sister of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) says: In those days, whenever we would hear some hawker selling something, we would ask our mother about it and if what was being sold was not good, she would say: It is a bad thing, child. On hearing this, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) would say : La haula wala quwwata illa billah. Mother, we don’t want that thing.
Whenever due to being extraordinary busy and curry could not prepared, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan’s (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) mother would serve him Supari along with roti and he would eat that and go to the madarsa.
The introductory and Farsi education of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was under his own father. He studied the logical sciences and logic from Maulana Mansoor Ali Khan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). He studied Sharh Jami, Tafseer and other sciences under Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqui (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) (who founded Jamia Nizamia). He studied Hadith and literature under Maulana Hakeem Abdur Rahman Saharanpuri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). All these teachers were considered masters of their respective fields. Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) completed his education and through his inherent ability and wide reading, came to be recognized as an erudite scholar of Hyderabad.
In the last days of his education itself, he had started teaching students without any charge. In Masjid Ali Aqa, oceans of knowledge would be emptied and not only the common people, even scholars used to attend and gain benefit from these sessions. For the sake of working class, late till midnight Islamic sciences Hadith, Tafseer etc would be taught. His method of explanation was such that after learning under him, the student would not be satisfied anywhere. He would explain complex matters and unravel them in such a manner that everybody would understand them easily.
His circle of students started growing. Every student of his would master at least one science and most of them were granted high government posts. On seeing all this, the management of Jamia Nizamia, Hyderabad sent him a wire when he was out of station to attend a function at the house of his younger sister. They wanted Hadhrat to take up a post as the dean of some science at Jamia Nizamia. Hadhrat, for whom being alone with the One was most important, refused this politely saying that he had done all this only for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and would keep on doing so for the rest of his life.
A student of Hadhrat who was an advisor to the king once mentioned before the king, the virtues of his teacher Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). Others present there also agreed. The king expressed his desire to meet Hadhrat. When the student conveyed this to Hadhrat, he said: Child! What does a Faqeer (Lit. pauper, in Shariah, a person who depends only on Allah Ta’ala) have to do with kings? If you desire my pleasure, never mention my name there again. The said student was really affected by this and never mentioned his name there again. This shows that pious people desire to gain the pleasure of their Shaykh and teachers.
His pious father was a disciple (mureed) and Caliph (khalifa) of Hadhrat Miskin shah Sahab (May Allah shower His Mercy on him); because of this, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) also gave his allegiance (bait) to Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). But because of educational responsibilities, Hadhrat could not fully benefit himself from the divine blessings of Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). After finishing his educational journey, he turned his complete attention towards traversing the path to Allah Ta’ala (sulook). By that time, Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) had passed away into the presence of Allah Ta’ala. Those days were illumined with the radiance of Hadhrat Syed Muhammad Badshah Bukhari (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). What else need be said about him except that if his disciple was like this, then what about the master? Hadhrat entered his circle of disciples and traversed the path of Sulook. The details of the Mujahada and worship of those days, though not revealed by Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) himself, those who saw him during those days say that apart from the necessary activities, Hadhrat would spend his entire time in Dhikr. He would always be seen engaged in Muraqaba.
Hadhrat would offer Salaat of Fajr in the Masjid of his master and sometimes in the Masjid of Chowk and then he would walk 4 miles daily to the Masjid of his master. After Fajr, he would remain busy in Dhikr and gaining his master’s blessings etc. From there, he would return at about 10 o’clock after offering Ishraq and Chaasht. Till Zuhr, he would be busy in Muraqaba. Then he would return from the Masjid after Maghrib. After having dinner, he would go to the Masjid and remain there, busy in Dhikr, Muraqaba etc. till midnight. He would return to his house and rest. He would again get up at 2:00 and offer Tahajjud, recite the Holy Quran and spend the night is praying and crying. Just before Fajr, he would rest for sometime and then go to his master’s masjid to offer Fajr. For 20 years, irrespective of season and situation, he used to be present in his master’s masjid in Fajr.
Hadhrat Bukhari Shah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) had innumerable disciples, but he would prefer Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). Seeing his firmness on Shariah, following of the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Sunnah and his striving in the path of Allah Ta’ala, Hadhrat Bukhari (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) granted him His Khilafah (i.e. he authorized him to take disciples and teach/instruct them). He gave him his robe and headdress too, because of which, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was overwhelmed with love and ecstasy of Allah Ta’ala and slowly normalized with the divine attention of his master.
Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) did not start accepting disciples in the life of his master. If anybody requested him also, he would guide them to his master. After the passing away of his master, he started accepting disciples, as a result of which innumerable disciples of his in India, Pakistan have been drinking from Hadhrath’s river of divine guidance.
Many brothers of the Silsilah report strange events which led them to become disciples of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him). A brother said that he was really anxious about finding a master. He saw in a dream that Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) was coming out of the shrine of Hadhrat Sa’adullah (May Allah shower His Mercy on him), but because he did not know who he was, he could not give his Bait to him. He once saw him in Makkah Masjid and looking at his features understood that this was his master and then and there offered him his pledge (bait), which Hadhrat accepted and took him as a disciple.
After completion of both the Shariah and the Tareeqa sciences, Hadhrat started addressing people. His address would affect everybody hearts and nobody would be hurt through them. After the Friday Salaat in the Jame Masjid of Naldurug, there would be an address of Hadhrat for 2 to 3 hours where he would explain the Tafseer of the Holy Quran. Apart from this on special occasions, he would again address people. These addresses would not be mere words (Qal), but the spirit of the words (Haal) would also be included in them. Accordingly many people would be overwhelmed by his address. If all these addresses are collected, they would make a Tafseer of the Holy Quran like Tafseer Surah Yousuf.
There would be Hadhrat’s addresses in Bombay (present Mumbai) also, which was full of his disciples and lovers. There the address used to be in an open ground, which would be full of people. In spite of multitude of people, it was a miracle of Hadhrat that everybody would hear his voice. This was before modern facilities like microphone, etc.
Hadhrat would offer all the 5 Salaat with congregation (Jamaat). This was stressed so much that it was second nature to Hadhrat. Nothing, be it weather or ill health, would make him even waver from this habit. The Mustahab (commendable) time was maintained in such a way that the Salaat of Isha would be offered at 10:30. This arrangement in winter and rainy season was nothing short of a miracle. This was a living picture of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) led the Salaat and told the Sahabah: You are the best Ummah, as you are the only creation on the face of the earth who worship Allah Ta’ala in the Mustahab hours.”
Hadhrat would offer the articles of Salaat with proper calmness. Hadhrat would enthusiastically offer numerous nawafil. For this reason, his feet would usually remain swollen.
For a long period of time, he led the Salaat (Imam) in Masjid ‘Ali A’aqa Hussaini A’alam only for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. As per the Sunnah, in Fajr and Isha, he would recite the lengthy Surah of the Holy Quran (Tawaal-e-Mufassal) and in Zuhr, moderately lengthy Surah and in ‘Asr and Maghrib, the short Surah. Each Salaat would be blissful and rejuvenating. This can be understood only by those who offered Salaat in his leadership.
Hadhrat would make the disciple recite: Astaghfirullah Rabee Min Kulli Dhambin Wa Atubu Ilaih. La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah and then He would say: I have given you in slavery of Syedi Abdul Qadir Jilani and Hadhrat Syedi Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them). On this the disciple would say: I accept it. Then Hadhrat would say: I have made you a disciple in the Qadiri and Naqshbandiya Tariqah.
The first advice is, offer the 5 Salaat regularly. If it was a man Hadhrat would add, try to offer each Salaat in the Masjid, with Jama’at.
Salaat, Quran, etc. is recited with the tongue, but for Dhikr, recite Allah, Allah from the heart. The heart is 2 fingerbreadths, below the left ni**le, to the left. For this, Wudhu is not necessary. It can be done with Wudhu, without Wudhu, in a state of Taharah, out of it, while walking, sitting, lying down, sitting, in every condition. If due to lack of habit, you forget it, no problem, when you are reminded it, start doing it.
Apart from this, whatever free time you get, sit in seclusion, close your eyes, perform the Dhikr of ”Allah-Hoo-Allah" 2000 times and along with this think of me, that the blessings (Faiz in Urdu) is coming out of my heart (i.e. Hadhrat’s heart) and coming into your heart. No need to say this with your tongue, this is also from the heart. This is the first lesson, it is called Latifa Qalb.
Recite Durud 200 times daily. You can recite any Durud you remember, but this Durud is better:
Allahumma Salle ‘Ala Sayyidina Wa Maulana Muhammadin Wa ‘Ala Aalihi Wa Sahbihi Afdhala Salawatika Wa ‘Adada Ma’aloomatika Wa Barik Wa Sallim.
In this way, first the disciple is made to traverse the Naqshbandi Sulook.
Hadhrat was a very great personality, a great scholar and a great saint. In spite of all this, he spent his whole life in the service of the creation. His whole life is a model of the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
He passed away on Thursday, 18th Rabee’ Thaani, 1384 Hijri, 1964 AD at 8 AM.
