Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi

Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi
Title	Muhaddith-e Dakkan
Personal life
Born	6 February 1872 Aurangabad, India
Died	27 August 1964 Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Religious life
Religion	Sunni Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Jurisprudence	Hanafi
Creed	Maturidi

Abul Hasanat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Qadiri (6 February 1872–27 August 1964) also known as Hadrat Abdullah Shah Sahib, was a scholar of Islam and spiritual reformer.[1] He is more particularly known as a muhaddith^[broken anchor], honorifically as Muhaddith-e Dakkan (the Muhaddith of the Dakkan).[2][3] His contributions to Islamic scholarship and spirituality have left a lasting impact. His scholarly contributions include extensive writings on Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and his best-known work, Zujajat al-Masabih, which is a comprehensive collection of Hadiths aligned with the Hanafi school of law, compiled into five volumes.[4][5][6]

Early life

He was born in the Qadiri family in Aurangabad, India. He received his early education in Islamic sciences and Arabic literature.[7]

Spiritual life

Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi's spiritual teachings were rooted in the principles of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. His guidance emphasized the importance of inner contemplation, remembrance of God (dhikr), and spiritual connection with the divine. Key aspects of his teachings:

• Awareness of Numbers (wuquf adadi): This practice involves a conscious awareness of the number of times one recites a particular dhikr or divine name, fostering focus and mindfulness.[8]
• Awareness of the Heart (wuquf qalbi): It encourages the seeker to maintain a constant state of awareness and presence of heart, especially during the recitation of dhikr.
• Silent Dhikr: Naqshbandi's practice includes silent dhikr, which is the remembrance of God without vocalization, allowing for a deeper internal connection.
• The ‘Uwaysi’ Transmission of Spiritual Knowledge: This refers to a form of spiritual guidance received not through physical interaction but through a connection in the spiritual realm with past saints and prophets.[9]
• Spiritual Exercises: The Naqshbandi path includes specific spiritual exercises designed to remove the veils between the seeker and their heavenly position, bringing them closer to the Divine Presence.[10]

These teachings aim to cultivate a direct and personal experience of the divine, transcending formal rituals and external observances to achieve a state of unity with God. The Naqshbandi way, as taught by Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi, is a path of purification and self-improvement, leading to spiritual enlightenment and closeness to the divine.[11][12]

Literary works

Some of his notable literary works include:

• Noor Ul Masabeeh: This is a comprehensive book on Hanafi Fiqh, which he spent almost 50 years writing. It covers various chapters such as Aqaid, Salah, Zakat, Nikah, etc., and is spread across 12 volumes.
• Gulzar E Auliya: This book provides brief accounts of the lives and teachings of Naqshbandi saints.
• Fazail E Ramzan: This book discusses the virtues and blessings of Ramadan, along with other spiritual topics.
• Zujajat al-Masabih: A unique and comprehensive collection of Hadiths pertaining to the Hanafi school of law, compiled into five volumes.

These books continue to be influential in the study of Sufism and Islamic spirituality.[13]

Death

He died on 18th Rabi’ al-Thani, 1384 AH (1964 AD) at the age of 92.

His funeral, one of the largest ever seen in Hyderabad, was attended by over 250,000 people. Moulana Abdullah Shah was laid to rest in Naqshbandi Chaman, Misri Gunj, Hyderabad.

References

1. Jalālī, Sayyid Shāh Faz̤lurraḥmān Saʻīd (1997). كلام سعىد: شعرى انتخاب (in Urdu). Bazm-i Ḥassān.
2. younus (2022-11-10). "حضرت محدث دکن رحمۃ اللہ علیہ". Siasat Daily - Urdu (in Urdu). Retrieved 2024-05-02.
3. Fikr o naẓar (in Urdu). Markazī Idārah-yi Taḥqīqāt-i Islāmī. April 2005.
4. Khalil, Syed Mussarat (2018-06-05). "Jamia Nizamia alumni felicitates Moulana Abdul Salam in farewell event". Saudigazette. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
5. Luther, Evander (2011-06-26). Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi. Acu Publishing. ISBN 978-613-6-77719-1.
6. Naqshbandi, Abdullah (2013-12-28). The Book of Love. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1-4909-1680-4.
7. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1997. ISBN 978-81-85297-68-2.
8. Narang, Gopi Chand (1980). وضاحتي کتابيات: jil. 1999 (in Urdu). ترقى اردو بيورو،،. ISBN 978-81-7587-105-2.
9. Kaur, Ravinderjit (1996). Political Awakening in Kashmir. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7024-709-8.
10. Burman, J. J. Roy (2002). Hindu-Muslim Syncretic Shrines and Communities. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-839-6.
11. Kabbani, Muhammad Hisham (2004). Classical Islam and the Naqshbandi Sufi Tradition. Islamic Supreme Council of America. ISBN 978-1-930409-23-1.
12. نواى ادب (in Urdu). Anjuman-i-Islam Urdu Research Institute. 1987.
13. خان, محمد عبدالستار (1999). تذكره حضرت محدث دكن: رهبر شريعت ، رهنمائے طريقت عارف بالله تعالے حضرت مولانا ابوالحسنات سيد عبدالله شاه نقشبندى حيدرآبادى (in Urdu). ملنے كے پتے، منار بک ڈپو،.