Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was born in the city of Baghdad during the month of Rabi-ul Awwal 164 A.H.  His father passed away either before he was born or shortly afterwards, and it was his mother who diligently brought up the Imam.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Education

He acquired his childhood education through the Maktab but even there his piety and scholarly character were recognised.  Abu Afeef (r.a) has reported, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (r.a) was within our learning group at the Maktab. At that time he was very young, and we, as students were aware of his piety.  Having completed his basic education at the age of 16, the Imam went on to study ahadith by attending the study circles of Qazi Imam Abu Yusuf (r.a).

Having acquired knowledge from the scholars of Baghdad, his zeal for learning took him to different parts of the world including Kufa, Basra, Yemen, Makkah, Madinah and Syria, to benefit from their great scholars.  Sometimes, during long and difficult journies to acquire ahadith, the Imam had to resort to manual work in order to cover his expenses.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Teachers

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal had many teachers, amongst the most prominent was Imam Shafiee (r.a) whom he met on several separate occasions and each time he took full benefit of the opportunity.  Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal commented, ‘Only after sitting in the Majlis of Imam Shafiee (r.a) did I understand and comprehend nasikh and mansukh hadith.’  One should remember, the Imam was an accomplished scholar even before he met Imam Shafiee.

It was only at the age of forty, in 204 A.H., the Imam began formally teaching hadith.  Whilst his teachers were still alive he refused to teach and narrate hadith out of humility and respect for them.  Imam Ahmad was acknowledged by the Ulama of his time as the Imam ul Hadith.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s books

Amongst his publications, the more famous are Kitab ul Musnad (based upon 30,000 ahadith), Kitab ul Tafseer, Kitab us Salaah, Kitab us Sunnah, Kitab un Nasikh and Mansukh and others.

The Imam dressed very simply and disliked clothes which created a false awe.  He wore a turban, white clothes and a shawl.  He never accepted gifts offered by rulers and the affluent out of caution.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal died on the blessed day of Friday in Rabi ul Awwal 241 A.H at the age 77, after a period of illness which lasted nine days.  The news of the Imams death soon spread and after Jumuah more than 850,000 people performed his janazah prayer with the rows formed in the city, streets, bazaars and even on boats on the river Tigris.  Even the non-Muslims mourned the passing away of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal

Example of the Ulama

إنما مثل العلماء في الأرض مثل النجوم في السماء إذا رآها الناس اقتدوا بها وإذا عميت عليهم تحيروا

Abu Muslim Al-Khawlaani: “The example of the scholars on earth is that of the stars in the sky: when they appear, the people are guided (they navigate using the stars), but when they disappear, the people get confused and lost.”

[Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Madkhal ila Al-Sunan Al-Kubra]


Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Certainly the example of the ‘Ulama in the world is like the example of the stars through which guidance is obtained in the darkness of the land and sea. When the stars disappear, it is very likely that the rightly guided can be misled from the right path.”

Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with a weak chain.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 157. Refer: Targhib, vol. 100/101 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1 pg. 121)

Shaykh Ahmad Ali

Born in Azad Kashmir in 1971 Shaykh Ahmad Ali came to the U.K. at the tender age of 6. Coming from a moderately practicing family, the odds were always stacked against him, but even as a young boy Shaykh displayed a yearning for deen.

His stubborn determination resulted in him completing the memorisation of the Holy Quran at the age of 14 under the supervision and guidance of his teachers at the local mosque, Masjid Quba. Having completed this great feat, the thirst for furthering his Islamic knowledge could no longer be quenched in the confines of the local mosque. Searching for more in 1986 Shaykh enrolled at Darul Uloom Al Arabiya Al Islamiya, Bury, the main nucleus of Islamic study in Europe at the time.

During his time in Darul Uloom, Shaykh excelled in his studies undertaking an intensive study of many Islamic sciences including Arabic, Quranic Tafseer, Hadeeth, Fiqh and Aqeedah under the supervision of Hadhrat Yusuf Motala Sahib.

After graduating from Darul Uloom Al Arabiya Al Islamiya in 1993 realising that the there was much more to be gained from the beauty of the Quran and Hadeeth, his insatiable hunger for knowledge still not satisfied, Shaykh left the confined borders of the United Kingdom and headed towards the Middle East, Madina. Here he studied at Al Jamiiyah al Islamiyah.

Following this 1n 1994 Shaykh moved on to the world famous Azhar University in Egypt, specialising in Hadeeth. Having journeyed through many lands in order to substantiate this zeal for knowledge, Shaykh returned to the U.K. in 1996. A chapter closed.

Now were the beginnings of many new chapters. In 1999 he was appointed second Imam at his local mosque, Masjid Bilal. From here Shaykh devoted almost all of his time and efforts to the work of dawah, initially to his immediate community, and then further afield nationally and internationally.

In the field of Dawah for Shaykh Ahmad Ali there have been no boundaries. His desire to build on his dawah work has always been foremost and was the main tool that instigated the establishing of Al Ma’hadul Islami (The Islamic Academy) in Bradford, England. This institution to this day has been providing Islamic counselling, education and guidance to the youth and elders alike.

A combination of his vast knowledge and an unreal talent of capturing the hearts of listeners with his effervescent words took Shaykh Ahmad Ali across four continents to convey the teachings of Allah (swt) and his Beloved Prophet (saw).

Apart from his international work touring various countries delivering dynamic lectures and speeches, by the grace of the Almighty, Shaykh continued to work from his base Al Ma’hadul Islami to establish further institutes that would inshallah benefit the community and ummah on a whole.  2003 saw the beginnings of a Muslim Secondary school for girls, The Fountain where students benefit from the alimiya classes as well as secular studies.

Throwing aside any barriers that were placed before him, Shaykh’s determination to inculcate deen in our young then led him to purchase and renovate a building in order to set up Crystal Gardens Primary School in 2005, catering for Muslim children from the ages of 5 to 11.

Shaykh begins to work selflessly and has only just completed the renovation of his new school building purchased in 2007. Eternal Light Secondary School for Boys currently has 40 boys on the register and will insha’Allah expand gradually. Boys undertake the hifz (memorization of the Holy Quran and Alim classes as well as their secular education.

Over the years Shaykh Ahmad Ali has worked very closely with the charity organization, Lifecare U.K. Products of his work with the charity have been helping to build an orphanage, hospital and school, for the under privileged, close to his birth town in Azad Kashmir.

Shaykh Ahmad Ali’s listed speeches found on audio tapes and c.d,s currently number in the region of 80. He has also authored many books; Major Signs of The Day of Judgement, The Prophet Jesus, Imam Bukhari, The Wisdom of Imam Abu Hanifa,’ of the Pious to list just a few.

A selection of Shaykh Ahmad Ali’s beneficial lectures and lessons will be available for downloading in the near future(website currently under construction) from the www.almahad.co.uk website. Some other talks can be heard online from the Shaykh Ahmed Ali youtube channel.

No doubt Shaykh Ahmad Ali will, Allah willing, continue to strive towards his purpose in life, a mission to serve his Creator. May Allah (swt) always grant him and those associated with him the ability to do this selflessly. The Ummah can only benefit from the work of such auspicious people.

May Allah (swt) grant Shaykh a long prosperous life so that we may continue to benefit from his lessons and knowledge, and may Allah (swt) accept all his efforts and make them a means of salvation for him and his loved ones. Ameen.

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola [may Allah preserve him] began studying the sacred sciences at an early age. After having completed the memorization of the Quran at the age of 14 in 1989, for the next seven years he went on to study the Islamic sciences which include Arabic [and all its related sciences becoming especially fluent in Arabic poetry], Tafsir, Hadith, Aqidah and Fiqh [specializing in the Hanafi School].

Having studied under senior ulama from South Africa and the Indian Subcontinent and receiving ijazah from them, he went on to teach at various Madaris in South Africa including Dar al-Uloom Zakariyya.

Shaykh Sulaiman Moola currently lives in South Africa and has travelled extensively throughout the Muslim world and the West for the purpose of Dawah and teaching. Some of the countries he has visited include various Central African nations, the Middle East, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Australia, Canada, West Indies and the U.S. His travels and lectures have been a means of great inspiration to many across the globe.

Shaykh’s lessons and lectures can be heard/ downloaded from the Sulaiman Moola website.

We pray and make du’aa that Allah accept Shaykh’s efforts and allow us to take benefit from his dedication to the deen, Ameen.

Maulana Abdul Hayy Lucknawi

Maulana Abdul Hayy Lucknawi [1264 – 1304 A.H.]


He was born in Banda, India, on Tuesday 26 Zul Qada 1264 A.H, author of many famous works and a great scholar of his time. He was a descendant Sayyidina Abu Ayyub Ansari (R.A).

His predecessors emigrated from Madinah Munawwarah to Hirat, then to Lahore, Delhi and finally to Sihala and Firangi Mahal near Lucknow. Pious and noble scholars always inhabited this locality.

Maulana Abdul Hayy began memorising the Noble Qur’an at the age of five. He was endowed with an outstanding memory from childhood to the extent that in his own words, he remembers the time when he was beaten at the age of three.

He initially learnt the Quran by Hafiz Qasim Ali. Subsequently his parents relocated to Jaunpur where he continued his by Hafiz Ibraheem. He completed memorising the Quran at the age of ten. During the period of his hifz, he also studied some Persian books under his learned father.

When he turned eleven, he began his Islamic studies under his father who was at that time teaching in Jaunpur. He learnt all the books from Mizanus Sarf (Arabic Morphology) till tafsir Baydawi, qualifying at the age of seventeen. After the demise of his father, he studied some books in mathematics under his fathers tutor, Maulana Muhammad Ni’matullah. (1290 A.H)

Allah Ta’ala endowed Maulana Abdul Hayy from childhood with the love of teaching and writing. Any book that he learnt, he taught it thereafter. As a consequence, he developed uncanny ability in every subject. No textbook on any subject remained difficult for him to the extent that he was able to teach books he had not previously studied by any tutor like Al Isharat of Tusi, Al ufuqul Mubin and Qanunut Tibb etc.

He taught for a while in Hyderabad. Subsequently he left for Lucknow where he remained for the rest of his life serving Deen. Maulana Abdul Hayy ibn Fakhruddin Nadwi (1896 – 1923), the father of Maulana Abul Hasan Nadwi and the author of Nuzhatul Khawatir, narrates that he attended Maulana Abdul Hayy’s Majlis (lecture) several times and found him to be extremely intelligent, erudite, an ocean of knowledge, well acquainted with the intricacies Shariah to the extent that he became an internationally recognised scholar. Whenever there was any discussion with scholars, Maulana Abdul Hayy would remain silent until all the scholars had spoken and they would eventually turn to him of a decisive statement. Everyone would unanimously accept his verdict. He was one of the wonders of India and none disputed his matchless virtue.

His students were completely satisfied with his methodology. Maulana Ni’matullah, his teacher, used to extol his praises generously. Due to intense love for writing, he wrote more than a hundred books on many subjects like Arabic grammar, morphology, logic, Jurisprudence and Hadith etc.

He was offered the post of Justice after his father’s demise but refused, considering the dangers of the occupation and being content with the little possessions he had. He felt that had he accepted the offer, it would have impeded his teaching and writing career.

One of the great bounties of Allah Ta’ala upon him was his excellence and compatibility with the science of Hadith and Jurisprudence of Hadith. He always chose a moderate, accepting the view of the Jurists as long as there was adequate proof from Quran and Hadith.

Allah Ta’ala also granted him the ability to see true dreams in which he would be given some indications. He saw Sayyidina Abu Bakr, Umar, ibn Abbas, Fathima. Aisha, Umme Habibah and Muawiyah (radiyallahu anhum ajmaeen). In his dreams and he also met Imam Malik (rah), Shamasud Deen Sakhawi, Imam Suyuti and other scholars, from whom he benefited as mentioned in a separate book on this on this topic.

The Mufti of Makkah, Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Zain Dahlan granted him permission for all isnad (chain of narration) from Al Hidayah of Marghinanai as well as what he had learnt from all his teachers. Mufti Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Hanbali of Makkah, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Al- Gharbi and Sheikh Abdul Ghani Dehlwi also granted him permission for various isnad.

He passed away in Rabi ul Awwal 1304 A.H. at the young age of 39 and was buried in the graveyard of his ancestors.
An Nasihah – February 2003
source: Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu-Natal)

May Allah swt forgive him, grant him mercy, and elevate his status. May Allah also give us the ability to benefit from the written works of the Maulana.
Ameen.

Life & contributions

Life & contributions of Shaykh Yusuf Motala

Mufti Aasim Rashid

Life & Achievements of Mawlana Yusuf Motala

*Jaame Masjid Blackburn* presents a unique programme on the

*Life and Achievements of Hadrat Mawlana Yusuf Motala Sahib Rahimahullah*

In the presence of

Mufti Shabbir Ahmad Sahib
Mufti Abdussamad Sahib
Mufti Ikramul Haq Sahib
Mufti Tahir Wadi Sahib
Mufti Mohammed Saleh Sahib
Moulana Hifzurrahman Sirajuddin Sahib
Dr Moulana Mahmood Chandia Sahib

And other scholars

Speeches will take place in English and Urdu

*Saturday 14th September 2019, after Maghrib Salah 7.32pm*

Kindly circulate.

Shaykh Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki

SHAYKH HAJI IMDADULLAH MUHAJIR MAKKI (RAHMATULLAHI ALAYHI)
(1233 AH – 1317AH) (1814 AD – 1896 AD)

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was such a great personality that the title given to him by his contemporary Ulama was “Sheikhul Mashaikh” which means the leader of leaders.

His personality was well respected by the Ulama of the sub continent India and Pakistan and also by the Arab Ulama. That is why his title was also Sheikhul Arab wa Ajam (the leader of the Arabs and non-Arabs).

Haji Sahib’s background and education 
Haji Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was born in 1233 AH (1814 AD) in Nanota, a town in the district of Saharanpur, India U.P. He father was Hafiz Muhammad Amin (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and by lineage and ancestral background, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was a Farooqi, a descendent of Hadhrat Umar Farooq (Radiyallahu anhu).

When he was born, his father Hafiz Muhammad Amin (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) kept his son’s name Imdad Hussein. When the famous Muhaddith, Shah Muhammad Ishaaq Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) heard this name, he didn’t like it and he changed the name to Imdadullah. Imdad Hussein means the assistance of Hussein. All assistance comes from Allah. So there was a form of shirk in this name.

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) also used to attribute the name Khuda Bakhsh to himself. Some say his name was Imdadullah and others say his name was Khuda Bakhsh (gifted by Allah). Both names are close in meaning. In some places Haji Sahib calls himself Abdul Kareem (the slave of Kareem).

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) had three brothers and one sister. He grew up without motherly care as his mother passed away when he was seven years old. Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) started his education very early but he acquired very little education.

When Haji Sahib was 16 years of age, he studied Sarf, Nahw, Farsi and one quarter of Mishkaat Shareef by Maulana Mamlook Ali Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) of Delhi. Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki didn’t study Bukhari and the other books of Sihah Sitta, but Allah Ta’ala blessed Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) with Ilm Ladunni. One is that knowledge that a person acquires. He studies different subjects and books. Another form of knowledge is from Allah Ta’ala without studying.

When Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) would talk to the Ulama, he would resolve such intricate issues with the insight that Allah Ta’ala had given him. However, he would not use the Istilaahi language (academic terminologies). This is Ilm La Dunni.

When he was 18 years of age he took bayat upon the hands of Maulana Naseeruddin Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) who was the student and son-in-law of Shah Ishaaq Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). When Maulana Naseeruddin Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) passed away, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was looking for another person to give him guidance and advice in life.

This is where we learn of the famous Sheikh and the spiritual guide, Hadhrat Maulana Mayanji Noor Muhammad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). Haji Sahib took bayat on his hands. At the age of 28, Haji Imdadullah (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) performed Hajj. When he returned after Hajj, his heart and mind remained attached to the Haram Shareef. He had a burning desire to return to Makkah Mukarramah. When he returned from Hajj, he made a firm intention that one day he will make Hijrah and go back to Makkah Mukarramah.

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) came back to his town in a place near Thanabawan. Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), and other great Ulama used to frequent Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and they had taken Bayat on his hands.

Generally when one hears of these Ulama, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), one would think that these were great saints just sitting in the corner of a Musjid. That was not the case. These were personalities that had complete E’tidal (moderation) in their life.

Hardships whilst in Makkah Mukarramah
When he reached Makkah Mukarramah he had much difficulty. For nine days he had no food at all. He only lived on Zamzam water. He became extremely weak. When it was the tenth day he requested help from people he knew but no one assisted him until one person came and gave him 100 riyals. From that month on, every month of his life, he used to get 100 riyals. He never suffered after that for his needs. Allah arranges for his pious slaves in strange ways.

There is an incident of four Mohammads who were experts in Hadith and Tafseer; Muhammad ibn Jareer Tabri, Mohammad ibn Haroon, Mohammad ibn Nasaf and Mohammad ibn Ishaaq. These four Mohammads were traveling and became stranded. They conducted a raffle among themselves for the person who will be responsible to arrange for food. The name of Mohammad ibn Ishaaq came out.

Mohammad ibn Ishaaq never spread his hands before anybody. So he engaged himself in salaah. Suddenly, one person tapped at the door and he asked for Mohammad ibn Jareer. The person then presented fifty riyals for him on behalf of the governor of Egypt. He took the name of Mohammad ibn Haroon and presented fifty riyals for him. He gave Mohammad ibn Nasaf Zafar fifty riyals. He also gave Mohammad ibn Ishaaq fifty riyals. Then he said that the governor of Egypt was sleeping and in his sleep he was ordered to assist four Mohammads that are stranded.

Haji Imdadullah (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was also stranded. He says that he knew that this was a test from the side of Allah. If you love the Haram Shareef, you have to undergo difficulties and hardships, so you pay the price to be there. Haji Sahib became very popular in the Arab world.

There were approximately 500 or more Ulama who have taken bayat upon the hands of Haji Imdadullah Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). Not one Alim, 10 Alims or 100 but 500 Ulama. When we look at the lives of the Akaabir we don’t find so many Ulama who have taken bayat upon somebody who outwardly and apparently has very little traditional knowledge.

Some special qualities of Haji Sahib
One very outstanding quality of Haji Sahib was that he was a person who was very facilitating and very tolerant. That is why in his majlis people who didn’t subscribe to Ahle Sunnat wa Jammat used to attend Haji Sahib’s majlis (gathering). Haji sahib never picked on them. His only concern was Islah and to take the people and make them closer to Allah.

Once, a ghayr muqallid who used to make Raful yadain and Ameen bil Jahr took bayat with Haji sahib. The moment he took bayat he stopped raful Yadain and Ameen bil Jahr. Haji Sahib called him and said to him, “Before this you were making Raful Yadain and Ameen bil Jahr, why did you stop?” “Because you took bayat on my hands?” “Brother, if you stopped that because you took bayat on my hands, then don’t do that because that is also proven from the hadith. So if you stopped it because of me then you carry on doing that. But if you stopped it on your own and not because you have taken bayat upon my hands, then I understand.” (as this is the correct thing to do).

Another person who was very close to Haji Sahib (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was Maulana Rahmatullah Kiranwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). He was a very powerful orator. The British were also looking for him. He also escaped and reached Makkah Mukarramah with Haji Sahib. Ahmad Deedat (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) benefited from the book Izhaarul Haqq of Maulana Rahmatullah Kiranwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).

There is a Madressah named Madressah Saulatiyyah in Makkah Mukarramah. Saulatiyyah is derived from the word Saulat. When Maulana was going to Makkah Mukarramah he requested some people for help to establish a Madressah in Makkah Mukarramah. So one woman from Calcutta, Saulat, gacve money. Maulana established the Madressah in Makkah Mukarramah with her money and that is why the Madressah is named Saulatiyyah. Maulana Rahmatullah Kiranwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) stayed very close to Haji Sahib in Makkah Mukarramah and that is where both of them passed away.

Marriages and demise of Haji Sahib
Haji Sahib married at the very old age of 55. He married three times. The first wife passed away. The second wife was blind. The third was a woman who wanted to make his khidmat (serve him). But, all his marriages were in old age and he only married with this intention that you can’t be a true Wali of Allah until you don’t make Nikah.

Haji Sahib passed away in 1317 AH (1896 AD) at the ripe old age of 84. In his inheritance he had one stick, two sets of winter clothes and two sets of summer clothes. Haji Sahib is buried in Makkah Mukarramah in Jannatul Maala.

May Allah Ta’ala elevate the status of Haji Sahib. Ameen.

Source: AlMahmood.org

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