Hafiz al Millat Mufti Abdul Aziz Ashrafi Muhaddith Mubarakpuri

Hafiz al Millat Jalalat al Ilm Mufti Shah Abdul Aziz Qadri Ashrafi Muhaddith Mubarakpuri (1312 – 1396 A.H / 1894 - 1976 C.E)

Birth[edit]

Ustaz al Ulama, Jalalat al Ilm, Hafiz al Millat wal Din – Mufti Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Qadri Ashrafi Mubarakpuri was born in Bhojpur, a town near the north Indian city of Muradabad in 1312 A.H/ 1894 C.E.

Family[edit]

Hafiz al Millat’s father Shaykh Hafiz Ghulam Nur bin Mulla Abdul Raheem was an Hafiz. His fame was such that he used to be invited throughout India for leading Taravih prayers in the month of Ramadan. It was his wish that Hafiz al Millat was named after the great Muhaddith of Delhi – Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dahlavi. History bears witness that sincere intention while naming a child at birth based on the names of great personalities does brings immense blessings and Hafiz al Millat proved to be the second Shah Abdul Aziz of India in terms of virtue, knowledge and number of great disciples.

Education[edit]

Hafiz al Millat memorized Holy Quran at a very young age under the tutelage of his father and studied Persian and Arabic under various other scholars. After completion of his basic education he was appointed as an Imam of a local Masjid where he served tirelessly for five years. Years passed by but his zeal and passion to acquire further knowledge did not diminish. It was this yearning and love for knowledge which took him to the famous Jamiya of North-India – Jamiya Nayimiya at Muradabad in 1339 A.H/ 1921 C.E. It was here that Hafiz al Millat was first taught and groomed by great Sunni masters such as Fakhr al Imsal Sayyid al Mufassirin Sadr al Afazil Mufti Sayyid Nayimuddin Qadri Ashrafi Muradabadi (1300-1367 A.H/ 1883 – 1948 C.E), Ustaz al Ulama Bahr al Hikmah Mufti Muhammad Yunus Ashrafi Nayimi Sambhali, Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Mufti Abdul Aziz Khan Ashrafi Muhaddith Fatehpuri and Ajmal al Ulama Shaykh Mufti Ajmal Husayn Qadri Razvi Nayimi Sambhali. Hafiz al Millat stayed for three years at Jamiya Nayimiya, and then headed to ‘Dar al Ulum Moyiniya Usmaniya’, Ajmer in 1342 A.H / 1923 C.E to study under Umdat al Fuqaha Sadr al Shariyah Imam al Ulama Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali Ansari Qadri Razvi A’zami (1296-1367 A.H / 1878 -1948 C.E). It was under Sadr al Shariyah’s excellent tutorship that Hafiz al Millat completed the famous ‘Dars al Nizami’ course. Allama Mawlana Fazl e Haq Rampuri, the famous author of ‘Hashiya Umur e Aammah’ took Hafiz al Millat’s final exam which included a written and verbal test. The brilliance of Hafiz al Millat radiated to such an extent that the great Allama had to close the textbook and exclaim: “I am unable to examine this student further for his excellence has reached a magnificent level!” Though Hafiz al Millat had completed his course and passed with distinction but his graduation ceremony could not take place in Ajmer because Sadr al Shariyah resigned from Dar al Ulum Moyiniya Usmaniya due to some administrative differences with its caretakers and decided to return to Bareilly. Therefore, the graduation ceremony of Hafiz al Millat took place in 1351 A.H /1932 C.E at Bareilly. Among Hafiz al Millat’s close batch-mates in Ajmer were Imam al Nahv Allama Mawlana Ghulam Jilani Ashrafi Meruthi and Shams al Ulama Allama Mawlana Qazi Sayyid Shamsuddin Qadri Razvi Jawnpuri.

Baiyah and Khilafah[edit]

It was in the spiritual environs of Ajmer – the capital of Chishti tariqah in India that Hafiz al Millat found his spiritual guide (‘Murshid’) and gave Pledge of Allegiance (‘Baiyah’) to Murshid al Anaam Shaykh al Mashaikh Shabiha Ghawth al A’zam Makdum al Awliya Shah Sayyid Muhammad Ali Husayn Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi (1266–1355 A.H/ 1849-1936 C.E) in the grand Qadriya Chishtiya Munawwariya Ashrafiya tariqah. In 1353 A.H/ 1934 C.E, he was awarded with Khilafah in Qadriya Chishtiya Ashrafiya tariqa and the title of ‘IzzatAllah Shah’ by Shaykh al Mashaikh. Hafiz al Millat also received Khilafah from his beloved teacher and the Imam of Indian Fuqaha – Sadr al Shariyah Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali Azami in the blessed Qadriya Barkatiya Razviya tariqah.

Madrasa Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum - Mubarakpur[edit]

Mubarakpur and Azamgarh were bastions of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah, and the majority of population consisted of disciples of Shaykh al Mashaikh Sayyid Ali Husayn Ashrafi Miyan and the Mashaikh of Kichocha. It was in 1317 A.H/ 1899 C.E that the inhabitants of Mubarakpur established a Madrasa and named it Madrasa Misbah al Ulum. It was a primary school (‘Maktab’) imparting basic religious education. In 1326 A.H/ 1908 C.E, the Madrasa was moved to the Masjid of Kola Bazar. In 1329-30 A.H/ 1911 C.E, the inhabitants of Mubarakpur decided to re-establish the Madrasa on a grand scale. One of the descendants of the last Mughal Emperor of India – Bahadaur Shah Zafar and a sincere disciple (‘Murid’) of the renowned ‘Wali’ of his era – Hazrat Allama Abdul Lateef Chishti Sultanpuri – Mawlana Muhammad Umar Latifi Mubarakpuri and the disciples of Shaykh al Mashaikh Sayyid Ali Husayn Ashrafi Miyan (d. 1355 A.H/ 1936 C.E) donated a piece of valuable land, and the Madrasa was named Madrasa Latifiya Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum.

Amongst its earliest teachers were Allama Mawlana Muhammad Siddiq Ghusasavi (the paternal cousin of Sadr al Shariyah) and Mawlana Nur Muhammad Mubarakpuri. When Hazrat Muhammad Siddiq died in 1330 A.H / 1912 C.E, a renowned student of Shaykh al Muhaddithin Allama Wasi Ahmad Naqshbandi Muhaddith Surati and Khalifa of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Qadri – Hazrat Allama Mawlana Abdul Salam Qadri Razvi Azami was appointed as the head master of Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya by Shaykh al Mashaikh Sayyid Ali Husayn Ashrafi Miyan. But Mawlana died in 1336 A.H/ 1917 C.E and the position fell vacant. Then from 1338 A.H/ 1920 C.E to 1342 A.H/ 1924 C.E, Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Mufti Abdul Hafeez Qadri Ashrafi Haqqani Nayimi served as its head teacher. During this same period, in 1341 A.H/ 1923 C.E the Madrasa was relocated to the old quarter of Mubarakpur known as ‘Purani Basti’ and nowadays it is known as the location of ‘Purana’ (Old) Madrasa.

Hafiz al Millat in Mubarakpur[edit]

The circumstances that brought Hafiz al Millat to Mubarakpur were mainly due to the spread of astrayness in the area. In 1336 A.H / 1917 C.E, Mawlvi Shukrullah Mubarakpuri reached Mubarakpur after graduating from Dar al Ulum Deoband and started propagating his deviant school. As the fangs of this astrayness spread due to Deobandi scholars frequenting the area, the people of Mubarakpur invited Muhaddith al Azam Makhdum al Millat Allama Sayyid Muhammad Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi (d. 1381 A.H/ 1960 C.E) and Sadr al Shariyah Badr al Tariqah Allama Mufti Amjad Ali Qadri Razvi Azami (d. 1367 A.H/ 1948 C.E) to resolve the issue and take appropriate steps to protect Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah. It was suggested and decided that a young and dynamic scholar should be appointed as the Head Master of Madrasa Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum as this was the most important center of Islamic learning and this will also favorably change the religious landscape of the area. Therefore, Hafiz al Millat was chosen for this vital service and pivotal position as he shared two important relationships with the people of Mubarakpur – he was an Ashrafi and shared the same Silsila with the majority of the population and was an Amjadi by studentship as Sadr al Shariyah was the greatest of all scholars from this area.

In the month of Shaban of 1352 A.H/ 1933 C.E, Sadr al Shariyah summoned Hafiz al Millat to Bareilly and explained the situation of Mubarakpur and persuaded him to accept the position. Hafiz al Millat was reluctant to accept this job as he was in great demand for his master scholarship and was being offered Rs 100 in Agra and Rs 500 in Calcutta while he was being offered just Rs 35 in Mubarakpur! But Sadr al Shariyah said: “When did I ask you to work? You will not be working; rather, your will be serving the religion. Do not look at what you will get!” It was on this that Hafiz al Millat accepted the advice and instruction of his benevolent teacher and accepted the post. In true words, it was Hafiz al Millat’s sacrifice for the sake of Islam and Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah that he accepted this position at very meager salary at Madrasa Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum. At that time, students were only taught up to Farsi, Nahv Mir and Panj Ganj and the yearly total budget of the Madrasa was a mere 2757 Rupees, 14 Annas and 9 pai.

On 9th Shawwal al Mukarram 1352 A.H/ 14 January 1934 C.E, Hafiz al Millat arrived in Mubarakpur and was appointed as the Head Master of Madrasa Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum. The atmosphere of the Madrasa began to change due to the blessed presence of Hafiz al Millat and the Madrasa began to eco with the ‘Kalam’ of Allah Almighty and the ‘Kalam’ of RasulAllah ~salAllahuAlayhiWaSallam~. The existing building of Madrasa became congested and it became difficult to accommodate the ever increasing number of students flocking from around the Indian sub-continent. This compelled Hafiz al Millat to lead an educational drive and the people of Mubarakpur came forward wholeheartedly to contribute and construct new premises for the Madrasa. Shaykh Muhammad Ameen Ansari (d. 1388 A.H/ 1968 C.E) and his accomplices donated huge sums of the required money and a very large piece of land was purchased for Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya. Hafiz al Millat invited great spiritual and scholarly personalities of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah for the foundation ceremony from all over India. The foundation stone of Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum was laid by Murshid al Anaam Shaykh al Mashaikh Sayyid Ali Husayn Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi and Sadr al Shariyah Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali Qadri Razvi Azami. This ceremony was also attended by Muhaddith al Azam Makhdum al Millat Sayyid Muhammad Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi and the Madrasa was chronologically named as ‘Bagh e Firdaws’ (1353 A.H /1934 C.E).

In 1355 A.H / 1936 C.E, the founder and patron of Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum – Shaykh al Mashaikh Makhdum al Awliya Sayyid Ali Husayn Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi died and Muhaddith al Azam Makdum al Millat Sayyid Muhammad Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi became its second patron and for the next 25 years held this important post.

In 1355 A.H / 1936 C.E, Hafiz al Millat led a second major revolutionary movement that transformed Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum into the fortress of ‘Fayz’. It was the tutorship of Hafiz al Millat and the rector-ship of Muhaddith al Azam Hind that brought a new phase in the growth of Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya and established it as the foremost school of Islamic and Sunni learning in India. This same year, a library was established in this Madrasa and was named ‘Ashrafi Dar al Mutala’ which consisted of rare manuscripts and books of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah. Among the most famous scholars who taught at Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum in those times were: Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Ghulam Jilani Qadri Azami, Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Mufti Sulayman Ashrafi Bhagalpuri, Shaykh al Hadith Allama Mawlana Abdul Mustafa Naqshbandi Azami, Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Abdul Mustafa Azhari Azami ibn Sadr al Shariyah, Mahbub al Ulama Allama Mufti Mahbub Ashrafi Mubarakpuri.

In 1392 A.H/ 1972 C.E, Hafiz al Millat led a third revolutionary movement that transformed Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya Misbah al Ulum into ‘Jamiya al Ashrafiya’. Hafiz al Millat called for a national conference for this purpose and the great scholars of Ahl al Sunnah attended and blessed this conference. Among the attendees were:

• Mufti al Azam Imam Allama Mufti Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri Barkati Nuri Bareilvi (d. 1402 A.H/ 1981 C.E) ibn Imam al Akbar Ahmad Raza Qadri Bareilvi.

• Sayyid al Ulama Allama Mawlana Sayyid Alay Mustafa Qadri Barkati Marheravi (d. 1394 A.H/ 1974 C.E) – All India Sunni Jamiyat al Ulama.

• Mujahid al Millat Allama Mawlana Shah Habib al Rahman Qadri Ashrafi (d. 1402 A.H/ 1981 C.E) – All India Tabligh e Sirat.

• Shams al Ulama Allama Mawlana Mufti Qazi Sayyid Shamsuddin Ahmad Ja’fari Qadri Razvi Jawnpuri (d.1402 A.H/ 1981 C.E).

• Khatib e Mashriq Allama Mawlana Mufti Mushtaq Ahmad Nizami (d. 1411 A.H/ 1990 C.E), Dar al Ulum Gharib Nawaz, Allahabad.

• Sultan al Wayizin Allama Mawlana Abdul Mustafa Naqshbandi Mujaddidi A’zami (d. 1405 A.H/ 1986 C.E).

In 1393 A.H/ 1973 C.E, a second conference was called by Hafiz al Millat and the syllabus of Islamic schools was discussed in detail and a resolution was passed supporting the revolutionary steps taken by Hafiz al Millat in the fields of Islamic education and learning.

Since then, Jamiya al Ashrafiya has come a long way in terms of growth and development with the ever increasing number of students flocking from around the globe to study at this great garden of goodness, knowledge and virtue.

Hafiz al Millat’s Greatest Contribution to Islam[edit]

A scholar is not only gauged by the number of books he authors, but he is measured according to his contributions to Islam that were needed from him at the time of his presence and the circumstances in which he operated to achieve them. Hafiz al Millat is remembered for his overall and exceptional historical contributions to Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah and Islam. The personality of Hafiz al Millat Jalalat al Ilm was multifaceted. He was a Muhaddith par excellence, an illustrious tutor to thousands of students, a high standing reformer, one of the greatest spiritual guides who cured the souls and inner ailments of people and most importantly a far sighted leader.

Hafiz al Millat’s greatest contribution to Islam and Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah was the foundation of Jamiya al Ashrafiya and producing the gems of Sunni scholarship. Among his students are the grand Shuyukh and the glittering stars of ‘Tasawwuf’ in the Indian subcontinent. Each one of them has thousands of disciples to their credit. A mere glance on the list of his pupils reflects Hafiz al Millat’s extraordinary greatness in terms of knowledge and blessings. Some of his illustrious students who carried his legacy into present times are:

1. Ustaz al Ulama Mufti Hafiz Abdul Rauf Qadri Razvi Balyavi, the foremost deputy of Hafiz al Millat and one of the founding pillars of Jamiya al Ashrafiya, Mubarakpur.

2. Mahbub al Ulama Mufti Muhammad Mahbub Ahmad Ashrafi Mubarakpuri, the former Shaykh al Hadith of Jamiya al Ashrafiya.

3. Bahr al Ulum Mufti Abdul Mannan Qadri Razvi Misbahi, the former Shaykh al Hadith of Jamiya al Ashrafiya and the Shaykh al Jamiya of Jamiya Shams al Ulum – Ghosi, India.

4. Nayib Mufti al Azam Hind Allama Mufti Sharif al Haq Amjadi Qadri, the former head Mufti of Dar al Ifta - Jamiya al Ashrafiya.

5. Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mufti Zafar Ali Numani Qadri, the Founder of Jamiya Amjadiya, Karachi, Pakistan.

6. Ashraf al Ulama wal Mashaikh Allama Mawlana Sayyid Hamid Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi, the founder of Dar al Ulum Muhammadiya, Mumbai.

7. Shaykh al A’zam Makhdum al Ulama Sayyid Muhammad Izhar Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi ibn Sarkar e Kalan Makhdum al Mashaikh Sayyid Mukhtar Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi – the former custodian of Khanqah al Ashrafiya Hasaniya, Kichocha.

8. Shaykh al Islam Rayis al Muhaqqiqin Allama Mawlana Sayyid Muhammad Madani Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi ibn Muhaddith al Azam Hind Makhdum al Millat Sayyid Muhammad Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi.

9. Qayid al Ahl us Sunnah Shaykh Allama Mawlana Arshad al Qadri Misbahi, the master debater, the destroyer of astray sects and one of the most brilliant writers of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah.

10. Ashraf al Awliya Allama Mawlana Sayyid Mujtaba Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi.

11. Muhaddith al Kabeer – the Deputy Qazi al Quzaat of India Allama Mawlana Mufti Ziya al Mustafa Qadri Amjadi Misbahi ibn Sadr al Shariyah Mufti Amjad Ali Azami Qadri Razvi, the founder of Jamiya Amjadiya Razviya, Ghosi, India.

12. Mushahid al Millat Allama Mawlana Mufti Mushahid Raza Khan Qadri Razvi ibn Shayr e Bisha Ahle Sunnat Allama Mufti Hashmat Ali Khan Qadri Razvi.

13. Aziz al Millat Allama Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Qadri Misbahi – the present rector and head of Jamiya al Ashrafiya, Mubarakpur.

14. Muballigh al Islam Allama Mawlana Qamar al Zaman Qadri Misbahi, World Islamic Mission, U.K.

15. Sadr al Ulama Khayr al Azkiya Shaykh ush Shuyukh Muhammad Ahmad Qadri Misbahi, the former Shaykh al Jamiya of Jamiya al Ashrafiya, Mubarakpur.

16. Shaykh al Quran Allama Mawlana Abdullah Khan Qadri Azizi, the former Shaykh al Jamiya of Dar al Ulum Aleemiya, JamdaShahi, India.

17. Shaykh al Hadith Ustaz al Ulama Allama Mawlana Abdul Shukur Qadri Azizi Misbahi, the present Shaykh al Hadith of Jamiya al Ashrafiya, Mubarakpur.

18. Khatib al Baraheen Allama Mawlana Sufi Nizamuddin Qadri Barkati Bastavi.

19. Allama Mawlana Qari Maslehuddin Siddiqui Qadri.

20. Allama Mawlana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi.

21. Allama Abdul Mubin Numani Qadri Misbahi.

22. Allama Iftikhar Ahmad Qadri Misbahi, South Africa.

23. Allama Mawlana Mufti Badr al Qadri Misbahi, Holland.

24. Allama Mawalana Sayyid Ruknuddin Asdaq Chishti Misbahi.

25. Allama Dr Sayyid Shamim Ahmad Gawhar Abul Ulai Misbahi Allahabadi.

26. Allama Sayyid Muhammad Jilani Ashrafi Kichochavi.

27. Allama Sayyid Muhammad Kumayl Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi.

28. Badr al Millat Allama Mawlana Mufti Badruddin Qadri Razvi Gorakhpuri.

29. Allama Mawlana Dr Fazl al Rahman Sharar Misbahi.

30. Allama Mawlana Mujeeb al Islam Naseem Misbahi.

Today, the influence of scholars which Hafiz al Millat raised from the young generation of the Muslim nation can be felt in the world of religious knowledge, wisdom and intellectualism. From among the students of Hafiz al Millat, Ustaz al Ulama Hafiz Abdal Rauf Balyavi, Bahr al Ulum Mufti Abdul Mannan Qadri Razvi Azami, Sadr al Ulama Khayr al Azkiya Shaykh Allama Mawlana Muhammad Ahmad Misbahi Qadri and Muhaddith al Kabir Allama Ziya al Mustafa have thousands of students throughout the Muslim world. On the other hand, Shaykh al Azam Sayyid Izhar Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi and Shaykh al Islam Sayyid Muhammad Madani Ashrafi Jilani Kichochavi have thousands of spiritual disciples around the globe. Muballigh al Islam Allama Qamar al Zaman Qadri Misbahi and Allama Mawlana Mufti Badr al Qadri Misbahi are known and regarded as the great ambassadors of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah in the west. The literary legacy of Ahl al Sunnah is spearheaded by the scholars like Allama Mawlana Yasin Akhtar Misbahi, Allama Mawlana Abdul Mubin Numani Qadri, and Allama Mawlana Iftikhar Ahmad Misbahi. Similarly, Allama Arshad al Qadri was a master debater of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah and a brilliant author of numerous decisive books. Such are the students of Hafiz al Millat!

Successor to Sadr al Afazil & Sadr al Shariyah[edit]

It was Hafiz al Millat’s personality after Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (1272-1340 A.H/ 1856- 1921 C.E), Sadr al Afazil Fakhr al Imsal Sayyid Nayimuddin Qadri Ashrafi Muradabadi (1300-1367 A.H/ 1883 – 1948 C.E) and Sadr al Shariyah Badr al Tariqah Mufti Amjad Ali A’zami Qadri Razvi (1296-1367 A.H / 1878 -1948 C.E) that is considered exceptional in terms of yeoman services rendered to Islam and Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah.

Sadr al Afazil and Sadr al Shariyah were the most famous and high ranking educators and teachers of Ahl al Sunnah in those times. Two important schools of Sunni intellectualism and scholarship take birth from these two stalwarts. Sadr al Afazil was the founder of Nayimi School while Sadr al Shariyah was the founder of Amjadi School. Thousands of scholars studied under them and benefitted from their blessings. These students attained high ranks in terms of meritorious knowledge and scholarly expertise. But, unfortunately Ahl al Sunnah lost both of these great master scholars in 1367 A.H/ 1948 C.E soon after Indian independence. It was a very great loss to Islam and the vacuum created by their demise could not be filled very easily. In such circumstances and in the absence of Sadr al Afazil & Sadr al Shariyah – the great Mashaikh of India entrusted Hafiz al Millat with the future of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah. The great Hasani Jilani Sayyids of Kichocha and the great Husayni Sayyids of Marherah entrusted their children into the care of Hafiz al Millat. Flocks of students from around the subcontinent began reaching Mubarakpur; thousands more were to come in the future years. Mubarakpur turned out to be indeed “Mubarak” in terms of Knowledge and Blessings. Hafiz al Millat inherited the legacy and ‘Fayz’ (Blessings) of two “Sadrs” (Sadr al Afazil & Sadr al Shariyah)! He became the second Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dahlavi of India and succeeded in fulfilling the aspirations and needs of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah which were entrusted upon him by his elders. Hafiz al Millat blended Islamic studies with that of practical Tasawwuf; his students were masters in all fields of Islamic sciences. He trained them to face the challenges of the emerging modern world. He was indeed a divine personality.

Indeed a Hafiz![edit]

The word ‘Hafiz’ refers to the guardian, the protector, the retainer. And it was Hafiz al Millat’s blessed personality that guarded and protected the future generations of Muslim ‘Millat’ (Nation). He was indeed a true patriot and warrior of Sunni scholarship, his demise left the world of Islam orphaned. Now, when we glance at the horizon of Indian scholarship we find numerous stars glittering in the skies of excellence. It is truly the luminous personality of Hafiz al Millat that lights all these stars of excellence. It was through his personality that Allah Almighty arranged the protection and development of Islamic intellectualism and Sunni scholarship. In the sorrowful environment of partitioned India and the sudden demise of great tutors of India, there was a feeling of uncertainty and in such delicate period of trials and tribulations Hafiz al Millat served his obligation as a great thinker, a healer of troubled souls and a sincere religious and national leader. He solved the very grass root level issues of Muslims through his faithful insight, scholarly wisdom, influential writings and speeches. It was his personality that groomed and generated the present giants of Indian scholarship. It is not an easy task to mould students according to their hidden capabilities, and enhance their intellect and conduct but Hafiz al Millat achieved it with great skill and expertise. Who can deny the contributions of Jamiya al Ashrafiya? Who can disregard the services of scholars who graduated from this seminary to Islam? Who can absolve the sacrifices made by the teachers of this seminary? Who can devalue the contributions of the Misbahi scholars in terms of Islamic and Sunni literature? It was indeed the personality and blessings of Hafiz al Millat that we see a unique and vibrant scholarship active in India. This was Hafiz al Millat’s greatest contribution to Islam and Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah!

Bibliography[edit]

In the initial years of Hafiz al Millat’s service at Dar al Ulum Ashrafiya, he used to profusely write on numerous topics along with taking care of the Dar al Ifta. But, in later years as his engagements in teaching and the Ashrafiya movement increased, he had little time left for writing. However, the below is a list of his important books:

1. Al Misbah al Jadid: An excellent work in refutation of astray sects and a collection of 30 Questions and answers on their astray beliefs and doctrines.

2. Al Azab al Shadid: The Deobandiya wrote ‘Maqamu’ al Hadid’ in refutation of ‘Al Misbah al Jadid’, ‘Al Azab al Shadid’ is a scholarly refutation of this very Deobandi book.

3. Ma’arif e Hadith: A treatise on some important Hadiths and its explanation.

4. Firqa e Najiya: An excellent book introducing the beliefs and doctrines of Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamah and a concise introduction and rebuttal of astray sects in Islam.

5. Inbaa’ al Ghayb: One of the great books on the topic of RasulAllah’s ~salAllahuAlayhiWaSallam~ Knowledge of Unseen.

6. Al Deobandiya: A magnificent book on the introduction and refutation of the famous Indian astray sect – Deobandiya.

7. Irshad al Quran: A beautiful book on some basic and important themes in the light of Holy Quran.

8. Fatawa al Aziziya: A compendium of his important and essential Juridical verdicts.

9. Al Irshad: On the political state of Muslims during the partition of India.

10. Hashiya Mishkat: Marginal notes on the famous book of Hadith – Mishkat al Masabih.

Death[edit]

It was Monday, the 1st of Jamadi al Akhir 1396 A.H / 31 May 1976, Hafiz al Millat as usual took Hadith classes and gave a lesson on the topic of death based on the Hadiths mentioned in Kitab al Janaiz of Sahih al Bukhari. During this very lecture, he expressed his desire to die on Monday while mentioning its merits and elaborated that this is the day on which Sayyiduna RasulAllah ~salAllahuAlayhiWaSallam~ was born & the day he died. That same Monday, just before midnight at 11:55 PM, Hafiz al Millat left this mortal world. The news of his sad demise spread throughout the scholarly circles of the Indian subcontinent and everyone was left in deep sorrow and grief. Hafiz al Millat’s demise affected the Muslim Ummah to a scale that the great scholars of Ahl al Sunnah began to deeply feel his absence, for there was none matching his greatness amongst them. Such gems of scholarship are rarest of the rare. Scholars from around the subcontinent gathered in Mubarakpur and his funeral prayer was led by his beloved son – Aziz al Millat Allama Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Qadri. Hafiz al Millat was laid to rest in the premises of his beloved Jamiya – Jamiya al Ashrafiya and a large dome was later constructed over it to pay him homage. May Allah Almighty rest his soul in peace and we supplicate that we rise with him in ‘Akhirah’ (World Hereafter). Ameen! Hafiz al Millat was succeeded by his able son and the present rector of Jamiya al Ashrafiya – Hazrat Aziz al Millat Allama Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Qadri Misbahi.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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