Muftī Sayf al-Islām Bīshwanāthī

By Muhammad Mujibur Rahmān

It has been my longing desire to write a biography of my beloved teacher and spiritual mentor, Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islām. Finally, I have been given the opportunity to fulfil my aspiration. I have written a brief account of his life and works to highlight his achievements. I am eternally grateful to Allāh for including me in the pious company of my Shaykh, who has been an inspiration in my life and undoubtedly in the life of many others too. This is a brief biography of Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islām and I am hopeful that in the future a comprehensive biography will be written and made available, Inshā-Allāh.

Birth
Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islām was born on the 17th of Rajab 1394 A.H (6th of August 1974) in the small village of Duhal in the town of Biswanath, district Sylhet, Bangladesh. His father was Muhammad Ali and his grandfather was Soyd Ali. He is the second eldest of four brothers and three sisters. He was initially given the name Shamsul Islām by the elders of his family but later his uncle kept his permanent name as Saiful Islām.

Migration to England
On the 1st of March 1981, Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islām’s father decided to take the family to the UK. They settled in the city of Bradford which is situated in the Yorkshire region of England.

Mawlānā Muḥammad ’Ādam ibn Yūsuf Lūnat

Sheikh Muhammad Adam ibn Yusuf Lunat” شیخ محمد آدم ابن یوسف لونات is a Muslim scholar, who studied in India and now lives and teaches in the midlands region of the United Kingdom. He is the head of many Islamic schools and institutions including Jameah Uloomul Quran in Leicester, as well as being well known and respected by many Muslims across the globe. He had a great number of teachers at a variety of different Islamic schools in , and has now taught over 1000 students.

Personal life:
Sheikh Adam was born in 1937 Manekpore, a village in the district of Surat, which is located in the state of Gujarat, (West) India. His father was a farmer, who was very pious himself. He passed away on the 27th night of Ramadan. At a very young age, Sheikh was admitted into an Islamic school to memorise the Quran. He was still memorising the Quran, and was still very young when his mother died. He nevertheless continued his studies despite the family’s poverty. He studied till the age of 22 after which he graduated to teach Religious theology and sciences at one of the very institutes he studied at. He married and moved to Malawi in Africa where he resumed teaching for 7 years, then relocated to England in November 1975 at the age of 38. He has 5 children all of whom are scholars in Islamic Theology. He currently lives in Leicester with his family

Mawlānā Yūsuf ibn Sulaymān Motala

Lineage & Early Life

Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Yusuf bin Suleman bin Cassim Motala (da)

Hadhrat’s father’s family has resided in the village of Varethi, within the Surat district, for centuries. Though their occupation was farming, his paternal grandfather relinquished his land on a contract and adopted business as his source of income. Due to Hadhrat’s grandfather’s premature death, Hadhrat’s father was raised in his mother’s care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His first marriage was into an honoured family from Hathuan. From that marriage, he had a son named Mohamed Ali. This wife passed away within a few years, after which he married Hadhrat’s mother, Amina bint Mohamed bin Ismail Desai. Hadhrat’s maternal family lived in a village called Kholwad on the shores of the Tapisti River. For unknown reasons, this clan moved to Nani Naroli. There, they adopted farming as their profession and source of income.

Hadhrat’s mother did not bear any children for a period of five to six years after marriage. Then, a pious man arrived in Nani Naroli, whom Hadhrat’s father requested to supplicate for children. The pious man presented Hadhrat’s mother with a ring and imparted the glad tidings of a baby boy. He wished well for the child to be characterized with qualities of knowledge and piety. After a year, the pious man returned to Nani Naroli. Shortly prior to his arrival, Hadhrat’s brother, Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Abdur Rahim bin Suleman bin Cassim Motala, had been born. For a second time, the pious man presented Hadhrat’s mother with a ring and imparted the glad tidings of another child.

Muftī Shabīl ‘Alī Rashādī: Founder of Dār al-‘Ulūm Trinidad & Tobago

Born in 1956 in Sangre Grande, Trinidad, he attended the Charlieville ASJA Primary School after which he attended the North Eastern Secondary School.

At the tender age of seventeen, having been actively involved in the Tabligh Jamaat, Mufti Shabil left for India in 1973 where he pursued Islamic studies. During a period of seven years he completed the Maulana and Qaari courses at Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashaad, Bangalore, India. He then pursued the Mufti course at Dabhel Madrasah, Surat, Gujarat, India.

During his stay abroad, he became proficient in Arabic and Urdu.

In 1978, he married Aalimah Rashida Adam Ali, daughter of the late Moulvi Saeed Adam of Barataria, Trinidad.

His missionary zeal took him to various parts of India and Pakistan even while studying.

He returned to Trinidad in 1981 and founded Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago in 1984. Mufti Shabil was the principal of the Boys’ College since its inception at his residence at Rashaad Avenue, Don Miguel Road, San Juan.

Shaykh Mawlana Isma’il Wadi

By Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat

Once, ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhu asked those around him of a hadīth of the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam with regards to the trials and tribulations which were to fall upon the Ummah. Hudhayfah ibn Al-Yamān radhiyallāhu ‘anhu, who knew the hadīth, remarked, “Why do you worry about such a fitnah, O Amīr-al-Mu’minīn, when there is a closed door between it and yourself?” When asked who this ‘door’ was, Hudhayfah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu replied, “Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhu.”

The existence of pious and righteous servants of Allāh ta‘ālā amongst us is a barrier that stops the torrents of evil from emerging and causing havoc. Upon their demise, the doors to these evils are opened, and the people are tested by trials and tribulations. That is why, as time draws nearer to the Day of Judgement (during which trials and tribulations will increase), the passing away of pious servants of Allāh ta‘ālā become more frequent.

In November 2012, a pious and righteous servant from amongst this category, my most honourable and beloved teacher, Shaykh Mawlānā Ismā‘īl Wādī rahimahullāh, of Blackburn, UK, passed away. I had studied the revered subjects of ‘aqīdah, hadīth and fiqh under his tutelage when I was studying at Dār-al-‘Ulūm Bury.

Mawlana Ayyub bin Hashim Kholwadia

Obituary: Maulana Ayub ibn Hashim kholwadia (R)
He was born on the 4th Ramdhan 1354 Hijri (30th November 1935) in India. He became Hãfiz of the Qur’ãn at Madrassah Miftãhul Uloom in Taraj (Surat). He also studied his secular education in this Islãmic Institute. After he completed his Hifz he went to study in Dabhel where he studied Urdu and Farsi (Persian). Thereafter he studied in Jamiah Ashrafiyya Rander. He then went to study in

Darululoom Deoband from 1957 – 1961
Some of the prominent and pious Scholars he studied from are; Arif Billah Maulana Syed Rada Ajmeri (Shaykhul Hadith Darululoom Ashrafiyya); Maulana Abdussamad Kachwi; Fakrul Muhaditheen Allamah Fakrud-Deen Muradabãdi; Allamah Ibraheem Balyawee; Mufasirul Qur’ãn Maulana Fakrul Hasan

Spiritual Guidance / Bait
Maulana Muhammad Ayub (R.A) made connection for his spiritual reformation with Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmed Madani (R).
In 1956 Shaykh Madani spend his last Ramdhãn in Asaam (bangal), due to the love Maulana Ayub had for Shaykh Madani he also went there and spent the whole month of Ramadhãn with him. Maulana Ayub said : I was really worried regarding the exam I had to take for the entrance into Darul uloom Deoband. So many talented people came and failed. But with the help of Allah it so happened that due to the worries I had in getting admission I would cry and make lots of supplications to Allah. Whilst in this condition I fell asleep. Shaykh Madani came in my dream and asked “Why are you worried, don’t worry you don’t need anybody to intercede/recommend you, if you didn’t have love for me you wouldn’t have spent Ramdhãn with me in Asaam. If I didn’t have love for you I wouldn’t have come to your house in Makinga” Maulana Ayub said: “I heard the following words and the worries turned to happiness. I woke up from my dream and went to Deoband and passed the exam with the help of Allah and the blessing of Shaykh Madani.
After Shaykh Madani passed away he went to receive Spiritual reformation from Shaykh Abdul Qadir Raipuri (R) and spent 2 or 3 Ramadhãns in serving him.
After Shaykh Raipuri passed away he went to Moulana Maseeullah khan saheb (JalaalaBaadi). When Moulana Masihullah came to Batley for the first time in 1971 the shaykh spent 3 months at Moulana Ayub’s house and from that house he travelled all over England spreading his teachings and words of wisdom.
Maulana Ayub was given permission of rectifying others in terms of spirituality from a number of other Shuyook.

His Works/Achievements
For so many years he taught and did Imãmat in Batley, even recently after becoming weak and having health problems he would write books, make speeches and teach. When Maulana Ayub first came to Batley there was only one Masjid and one Madrassah and seven Aalims.
Through the Will of Allah Maulana left this world on the 23rd September 2012.( 7th Zil – Qadah 1433). May Allah accept all his efforts and grant him Jannatul Firdous, May the Almighty grant patience to the whole family. Ameen.
He was very well known in the Muslim community all over England and surely we have lost a great scholar who will not be forgotten.

Attarbiyah Nov-Dec 2012

Mawlana Barakatullah Bhopali

By Ayub Khan

Mawlana Barakatullah: An Indian Muslim Revolutionary in America

Headstone of Mawlana Barakatullah’s grave in Sacramento Historic Cemetery, CA (Courtesy: Sharon Patrician)

It was a hot summer night in 1927. An elderly and weak looking man entered a community hall in Marysville, California. The gathered crowd of over 800 Indians became ecstatic and greeted him with a  thundering applause. Strings of sparkling tears rolled down the face of  the elderly man. He went up to the stage and began speaking with his usual forceful delivery but suddenly stopped. He couldn’t utter a word. There were wails and sighs from the audience. The elderly man composed himself and smiled; it’s glow sent a cheer through the audience. But he did not speak. A voice that has shaken the corridors of British colonial authorities was soon going to be silent forever. This voice belonged to the great, but almost forgotten, hero of Indian independence movement Maulana Barakatullah Bhopali. Maulana Bhopali’s life is one full of dedication and service-a fiery journalist, a brilliant orator, an erudite Islamic scholar, a nationalist to the core, an author of several books, a polyglot who knew more than seven languages, a prime minister of India’s government -in-exile. He was all this and more.

Mufti Nawal al-Rahman Miftahi

President : Shariah Board of America (SBA) http://www.shariahboard.com

Imam : Masjid-e-Noor Chicago, USA

Khateeb : Jamia Masjid Chicago, USA

Dean : Rahmat-e-Alam Foundation

Mashaikh, Ustazul Asatiza, Faqheeul Asr, Hazrat-e-Aqdas, Al-Haj, Al-Hafiz, Maulana wa MuShaikhul rshidana Mufti Shah Mohammed Navalur Rahman sahib Miftahi, wa Hanafi, wa Chisti, wa Qadri, wa Imdadi. damat barakatuhum wa zata fuyoozahum

Hazratwala Mufti sahib was born in the year 1957 C.E. /1376 A.H. in the town of Hyderabad Deccan, India to a family of Auliya-e-Kiraam. His father a great Waliallah and Arif Billah Shaikhul Mashaikh Hazratwala Ghulam Mohammed Sufi sahib (nawwarulAllahi marqadahu) belonging to the Silsila-e-Qadriya received divine inspiration (Ilhaam) to name all of his four sons from the quality of RAHMAN. Hence, the eldest son was named Kamalur Rahman, the second son was named Jamalur Rahman, the third was named Navalur Rahman and the fourth son was named Zilalur Rahman.

Mawlana Bashir Ahmad Diwan

From Sunniforum: (If anyone has more information on this ‘alim, please do submit it)

In New Zealand we have Maulana Bashir Ahmed Diwan (DB) who ‘s in his 80’s. He started his studies at Madressa Jamiah Islamiah Talimuddin Dabhel and for his final year, he went for Daura Hadith at Darul-Uloom Deoband in the 1940’s and has Ijazah in Hadith from Shaykhul-Ul-Islam Hadhrat Maulana Sayyed Husain Ahmed Madani Rahmatullahi Alaihi. He was a sathi of the great Muballigh and golden voice of Tabligh, Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Umar Palanpuri Rahmatullahi Alaihi.

He was in Fiji and served the muslim community there from the 1940’s to 2000, around 55 years and has been in New Zealand for the last 12 years and Masha-Allah, is still serving the muslim community.

He was Pesh Imam of Jame Masjid Suva, Fiji since it opened in 1965 till 2000 (35 years) when he came to New Zealand.

Through his hikmah, a lot of the bid’ah that was prevalent in the muslim community in Fiji was wiped out. An interesting incident, the day Maulana Bashir Ahmed Diwan (DB) arrived in Fiji, the local muslims invited him for a Milad programme. He says that if on that day he spoke out against milad, bid’ah, Barelvi etc, he would have been on the next ship back to India.

He has students that are now in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.

Obituary: Shaykh al-Tafsir Mawlana Muhammad Na’im

July 27, 2012 · by Mawlana Bilal ‘Ali al-Ansari

Unfortunately, we in the West sometimes remain aloof of the magnificent personalities who surround us and who hold together the fragile threads that bind our communities. The fact that this great scholar lived amongst us for so long in the U.S. and that people remained oblivious of his presence and stature, his merit and academic prowess, baffles the mind.

This was a man who had taught the highest level books of hadith at Darul Uloom Deoband for decades. He was named Shaykh al-Hadith by his own teacher and Ustadh of Bukhari at Darul Uloom Deoband, Mawlana Fakhrul Hasan al-Muradabadi (rh). His twelve-volume tafseer of the Qur’an, Anwar al-Qur’an, is unparalleled in the urdu language. His commentary on Tafseer al-Jalalayn, entitled al-Kamalayn, is a standard reference book for students of tafseer.