Legacy of Muhaddith-e-Deccan Hazrat Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 26 October 2024 Muhaddith-e-Deccan Hazrat Maulana Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Was One Of The Great Islamic Scholars Of The 20th Century From Hyderabad Who Was Known Not Only For His Monumental Work In The Hadith And Jurisprudence Alone But For The Spiritual Reformation He Brought About As A Sufi Master. His Magnum Opus, Zujajat Al-Masabih, Remains A Stellar Testimony To The Depth Of Knowledge He Possessed In The Field Of Hadith. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Abdullah Shah was born in Hyderabad in 1872. He was an Islamic scholar and a Sufi master who had specialized in the study of Hadiths as "Muhaddith-E-Deccan." 2. He composed the celebrated book, Zujajat al-Masabih. His work is an important contribution to the Hanafi Fiqh. 3. Hazrat Abdullah Shah belonged to the Qadiriyya as well as the Naqshbandiyya Sufi orders. 4. His spiritual and intellectual legacy continues through his family and disciples. ------ Auliyaالله - Muhaddis-e-Deccan Hazrat Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Quadri ------- Maulana Abul Hasnat Syed Abdullah Shah, known as Muhaddith-e-Deccan was born at Hussaini Alam, Hyderabad on 10 Zil Hajj, 1292 AH (6 February 1872). Maulana Syed Muzaffar Hussain was Maulana's father who had his ancestral home in Naldurg. As their ancestor Hazrat Syed Ali had migrated, land was granted to them by Adil Shah I, the ruler of Bijapur. Maulana's mother was the daughter of Hazrat Gul Badshah. In keeping with the mores of his age, Maulana Abdullah Shah did not receive formal education. His studies were individually conducted by learned scholars. His father taught him Persian, and lessons in logic and philosophy were given to him by Maulana Mansoor Ali Khan. For Islamic studies, he studied the Quranic sciences as well as other religious subjects under Maulana Anwarullah Khan, the founder of Jamia Nizamia. Under Maulana Habeeb ur Rahman Saharanpuri, he learned jurisprudence and knowledge of Hadith and literature under the tutelage of Maulana Hakeem Abdur Rahman Saharanpuri. Teaching Career Even during his student days, Hazrat Abdullah Shah initiated teaching, including the elite and commoners. His career as a teacher appropriately began at the Ali Aqa Mosque in Hussaini Alam, Hyderabad, and continued till his last breath. He bestowed Ijazah (authority to transmit Hadith) upon many, including the Syrian scholar, Shaykh Abdul Fattah. Spiritual Journey and Tasawwuf Maulana Abdullah Shah began as a murid of Hazrat Miskeen Shah, a great Sufi figure of Hyderabad. When Miskeen Shah left the world, Maulana Abdullah Shah took refuge in Hazrat Syed Muhammad Badshah Bukhari who was a Qadriya and Naqshbandiya Sufi. After that Maulana Abdullah Shah walked around about 4 miles daily for nearly 20 years to join his Murshid; he would go to attend him during Tahajjud prayers at night and his wudu. Maulana Abdullah Shah was an ardent follower of the teachings of his spiritual guide and dedicated his entire life to the cause of the two orders he followed, Qadiriyya and Naqshbandiya. He initiated hundreds of people into both orders, and his spiritual influence spread far and wide. His devotees reportedly often experience strong spiritual experiences, sometimes even feeling their hearts being stirred towards the remembrance of God in his presence. Maulana Abdullah Shahammad Osama was the son of the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Pir Hameeduddin Jafri Qadri, who was himself the renowned saint Hazrat Pir Kamiluddin Dehlvi's grandson. Maulana Abdullah Shah led a disciplined life with strict adherence to his daily routine which enabled him to consecrate 21 hours of the daily agenda in worship, teaching, and community service. His day is overlaid with starting with Fajr prayer, and then spiritual guidance sessions for the public at large. He has passed his mornings answering women inquiring about spiritual advice while the afternoons were spent instructing his disciples. He was busy, yet close to his disciples, personally answering letters and advising them. Hazrat Abdullah Shah besides all the spiritual contributions made very notable intellectual contributions in fields of Hadith and Fiqh. His most famous work is Zujajat al-Masabih, a five volumes compilation of the Hadiths regarding the school of law Hanafi. His other books are: Fadhail Namaz, Yousufnama, Qiyamatnama, Merajnama, Miladnama, Gulzar Auliya, Mawaiz Hasana, Suluk-e-Mujaddidiya, Fadhail Ramadhan, Kitab ul Muhabbat, Ilaj Us Salikeen. Miracles and Prophecies Commonly, disciples of Maulana Abdullah Shah experienced great miracles whilst in his presence. Many experienced a rich spiritual consciousness during their time with him. One known miracle is that his disciples often go out of this world with the words 'La Ilaha Illallah' on their lips, signifying a peaceful death. Shortly after the death of his contemporary, Syed Muhammad Badshah Hussaini, on 25th August, 1964 Maulana Abdullah Shah even predicted that he would leave for eternity in two days' time. His prophecy turned into reality, and he departed to his Lord on 18th Rabi' al-Thani, 1384 AH (1964 AD) at the age of 92. Over 250,000 people attended his funeral, one of the largest in Hyderabad history. Maulana Abdullah Shah was buried in Naqshbandi Chaman, Misri Gunj, Hyderabad. Legacy and Succession The spiritual and intellectual legacy of Maulana Abdullah Shah lives on in his disciples and descendants. After him, his eldest son, Abul Barakaat Syed Khaleelullah Shah, took over. He was followed by Abul Khairaat Syed Anwarullah Shah. The incumbent successor is Abul Faiz Syed Ataullah Shah, and the present Sajjada Nashin of Naqshbandi Chaman is Abul Khair Syed Rahmatullah Shah. The Abul Hasanat Islamic Research Centre is the prominent institution established by Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri, where all the writings of Maulana Abdullah Shah are being preserved and promoted. ---- Sahil Razvi is an Author and Research scholar specialising in Sufism and History and an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/legacy-muhaddith-deccan-hazrat-abdullah-naqshbandi/d/133552 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism