"O BELIEVERS! FEAR
ALLAH AND JOIN (THE COMPANY OF) THE TRUTHFUL ONES" (QURAN)
Hadhrat Maseehul (Ummat, Maulana Mohammed Maseehullah Khan, one of the greatest of
authorities in Tasawwuf of our times, hails from the renowned and distinguished Sherwani
family of Pathans. Although the Sherwani clan is famed as Pathan, it in reality is Sayyid
in its origin, for its ancestral progenitor was Sayyid Husain Ghauri (RA.) who migrated
from Ghauri during the reign of Khalif Abdul Malik Bin Marwaan (d. 65 Aft) and settled in
the region neighboring `Koohe Sulaimaan'. Sayyid Husain Ghauri (R.A.) settled among the
Pathans and married the daughter of Batan Bin Qais Abdur Rashid. She bore him two sons,
Lodi and Sherwani. The descendents of Sherwani became known as Sherwaani. It is then to
this family of Sayyids that Hadhrat Maseehullah Khan Saheb belongs.
Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb was born in 1329 or 1330 A.H. at Barlah, District Aligarh,
India. Born a saint, he was from early childhood the repository of piety and sterling
qualities. His virtue, excellence of character, simplicity and dignity were acknowledged
by all who came into contact with him even during his childhood. A considerable part of
his time during childhood was spent in Zikr and supererogatory acts of Ibaadat. A favorite
occupation of Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb during his early youth was to sit in the company
of the Saaliheen and Auliya. In this regard the companionship of Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad
Ilyaas (R .A.), the Khalifa of Hadhrat Shaikhul Hind (R.A.) is noteworthy. It was this
companionship during childhood days which introduced Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf
Ali Thanvi (R.A.) to Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb. Sitting in the company of Hadhrat Muhammad
Ilyaas (R.A.). the young Maseehullah, heard with eagerness the incidents, talks and
advices of Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.). Studying the works of Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) at the hands
of Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyaas (R.A.) engendered in Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb a
yearning, faith and love for Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.)
An outstanding feature of Hadhrat Maseehullah's character is the dominant qualities of
hayaa' (modesty) and tenderness. Hadhrat Alabama Mufti A'zam Saeed Ahmad Lucknowi (R.A.),
Ustadh of Hadhrat Maseehullah. Who witnessed the life of Hadhrat Maseehullah from early
childhood observed: "From childhood he (Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb has been the
repository of modesty, dignity, respect, forbearance, ingenuity, intelligence and
commendable attributes (`ausaffe hameedah)."
Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad Lucknowi (R.A.) - a great Faqeeh and Muhaddith - who had
attained perfection in many branches of learning; despite being the Ustadh of Hadhrat
Maseehullah Saheb, turned towards him.
(Hadhrat Maseehullah) for spiritual' guidance after the demise of Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.), who had bestowed even the mantle of Khilafat (spiritual
mentorship) upon Hadhrat Mufti Saheb. This act of Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad (R.A.) is
ample testimony of the fact that Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb is a born saint who has
attained spiritual perfection.
EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL TRAINING
Hadhrat Maseehullah's initial educational training commenced in his hometown. The greater
part of the Islamic syllabus up to the stage of Mishkat Shareef was acquired from Hadhrat
Mufti Saeed Ahmad. From Mishkat Shareef and Hidayah onwards up to completion of the Aalim
Faadhil course was undertaken at the famous Islamic institute of learning, Darul Uloom,
Deoband. He passed his student days in perfect solitude and was totally engrossed in the
acquisition of llm'. At the same time he was a Mureed of Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) and as a
result of his elevated spiritual rank, he occupied a distinguished position of honour and
respect among students and Ulama as well.
It was already noted that a spiritual link of faith and love with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.)
was already established during his early childhood days. The first time that Hadhrat
Maseehullah saw Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Thanvi (R.A.), was at Aligarh during the
year when he (Hadhrat Maseehullah) `left for Deoband in pursuit of his Islamic education.
The same year Hadhrat Maseehullah established his `islaah (spiritual rectification)
connection with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.). Since that time he has been in constant
communication with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.).
KHILAFAT
The year when Hadhrat Maseehullah qualified in his Islamic studies at Darul Uloom,
Deoband, Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) conferred upon him the spiritual Mantle of Khilafat
authorizing him to `talqeene bait (initiation of Mureeds) and to conduct the spiritual
training of Mureeds.
Among the various Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.), Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb occupies a
highly distinguished rank. Hadhrat Maseehullah was appointed as a Khalifa at an early age,
however, despite his relative youth. Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) listed him among eleven of his
distinguished Khulafaa (Spiritual Representatives). This list was later published.
Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) had special reliance on the spiritual programmes and methods of
spiritual training (islaah, ta'leem and tarbiyat) initiated by Hadhrat Maseehullah, As a
result of this reliance, Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) would refer certain Mureeds to Hadhrat
Maseehullah for spiritual training.
As has been already observed that among all the Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat (RA.), Hadhrat
Maseehullah enjoys a distinguished rank of prominence. This was attested to by no less
than Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) himself. Once, upon someone's enquiry. Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.)
said:
ISA AND MASEEH HAVE SURPASSED (THE OTHERS):
Isa here is a reference to Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad lsaa (R.A.), also among the
distinguished Khulafaa of Hakimul Ummat (R.A.). And, Maseeh refers to Hadhrat Maseehullah
Saheb. This statement made by Hakimul Ummat (R.A.) is in fact the stamp of authority on
the abundance of spiritual grace. Spiritual effulgence and spiritual benefit to the Ummah.
which emanates from the person of this great Waarithul Ambiya (Representative of the
Prophets), Maseehul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana - Maseehullah. This observation of Hakeemul
Ummat (R.A.) is ample testification to this fact since every word of praise and reproach
was meticulously weighed in the court of Hadhrat Hakimul Ummat (R.A.). Hadhrat Hakimul
Ummat (R.A.) further testified to the spiritual training methods of Hadhrat Maseehullah by
saying:
"There is order and arrangement in his temperament, hence order and arrangement in
his instruction."
SPIRITUAL INTUITION AND INSPIRATION (WAARIDAATE QALBIYYAH)
Hakimul Ummat(R.A.) advised Hadhrat Maseehullah:
"Act according to what enters into your heart repeatedly."
This instruction of Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) adequately illustrates the purity of
heart and the high standard of spiritual intuition and inspiration of Hadhrat Maseehullah.
It s in fact a certificate of qualification of the deep esoteric knowledge and connection
with the spiritual realm of Hadhrat Maseehullah, The attainment of such a lofty pedestal
of spiritual events explained by Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) in his famous work. At takash-shuf
in which he says:
When the darkness of the nafs and the impurities of character are eliminated by means of
constant Zikrullah and abundance of spiritual exercise and abstinence and the heart and
soul gain a special and a distinguished relationship with Allah Ta'ala then certain
spiritual' mysteries and esoteric knowledge enter the heart intuitively and
inspirationally without the agency of the senses or other external material mediums."
RU'YAA SALIHA OR TRUE DREAMS
In the Hadith it is stated that the Sahaba asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):
0 Rasulullah! What are mubash-shiraat?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied:
`True dreams, and, this is the tafsir of Allah Ta'ala's statement: And, for them there are
bushraa' (glad' tidings) in this worldly life.
Hadhrat Maseehullah has been endowed with the capacity for receiving such `mubash'shiraat
(true dreams) mentioned in the Hadith. To this, Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) attested on several
occasions.
SOME NOTEWORTHY `MUBASH'SHIRAAT' OF HADHRAT MASEEHULLAH
Hadhrat Maseehullah obtained permission to deliver Waiz (lectures) from Qutbul Aalam
Hadhrat Gangohi (R.A.) via one such true dream. It was only after obtaining this
permission and instruction that Hadhrat Maseehullah commenced the giving of lectures.
Hadhrat Khwaajah Mu-eenuddin Chisti (R.A.) specially directed Hadhrat Maseehullah in a
dream to the duty of Dua. Khwaajah Saheb in this particular dream said:
"We transfer Dua to you. Whoever comes to you for Dua, make Dua on Their behalf.'
In this directive is the tidings of Hadhrat Maseehullah being Mustajaabud Da'waat' (one
whose Dua is readily accepted by Allah Ta'ala).
JALALABAD
Jalalabad is a fairly large town in the Uttar Pradesh province of India. In 1357 A.Ff,
upon the express instruction of Hakimul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.),
Hadhrat Maseehullah came to Jalalabad.
Since that time he has settled there permanently. To this day Hadhrat Maseehullah lives in
Jalalabad from where he carries out his Islamic activities and duties. Recalling his
dispatch to Jalalabad. Hadhrat Maseehullah said:
I happened to be present in the `khanqa when Hadhratwala (Hakeemul Ummat) said: A teacher
is required there. You proceed to Jalalabad. When I came here (to Jalalabad) there was one
Haafiz Saheb and two rooms. Haafiz Saheb taught in one room and I in the other:'
The choice of Hadhrat Maseehullah as the spiritual custodian of Jalalabad was the
inspirational choice of Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.). Within thirty years the two -roomed maktab
developed into a full-fledged Islamic Madressa with over six hundred students from all
parts of India. South Africa. Mauritius. Reunion, England, etc. Islamic education is
imparted in the various branches of Islamic Knowledge. right from the elementary stages to
the Aalim-Faadhil level.
The Madressa is operated purely on the basis of Tawakkul' (Trust in Allah Ta'ala). No
appeal for funds are sent out nor has the Madressa any source of fixed income. It serves
the Cause of Islam and Allah Ta'ala sees to its operation and existence. Since its
inception the functioning of the Madressa has been under the direct care and supervision
of Hadhrat Maseehullah. However, of recent. Hadhrat Maseehullah is increasingly according
greater time to the affairs of the `khanqa.
Hadhrat Maseehul Ummat is truly one of those great saints and Ulama of Islam - of which
there are few living today of which the world is rapidly becoming empty. Once they depart,
no replacements are found. Each departure heralds the approach of the Final Hour- in the
words of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam):
`Verily. Allah Ta'ala will not eliminate Knowledge by way of extracting it (from the
hearts) of servants. But, he will eliminate Knowledge by taking away the Ulama. And, when
there no longer remains an Aalim, people will take for their leaders the ignorant. They
(the ignorant Ones) will be questioned, and they will issue verdicts. Thus they will be
astray and lead (others) astray.'
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