Shaykh As‘ad Madani Rahmatullahi Alaihi was the son of Shaykhul Islam Husain Ahmad Madani Rahmatullahi Alaihi and was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad [Allah bless him and give him peace] through his grandson Husayn [Allah be well pleased with him]. He took the Chishti, Naqshbandi, Qadiri and Suharwardi tariqas from his father and became his successor after his death.His whole life was spent in the service of Muslims and humanity at large. … [Read more...]

When Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Saahib Gangohi (RA) sent his beloved student, Hadhrat Mufti Ahmad Kanpuri Saahib (db) to Dhabel to teach, he gave him 14 advices which is a great lesson for all teachers.[1] They are as follows; 1. Don’t look out for position and status. For example, Do not demand to teach a certain kitaab or ask to be posted to a certain position. 2. Don’t ever ask for money i.e. Do not ask for a particular amount as a salary … [Read more...]

Hakeemul Ummat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi alaih) says: “Ulama have understood mere book knowledge to be sufficient. They acquire knowledge without considering action to be necessary. Whereas, the objective of `ilm is `amal. Their condition is such that neither is their inner character correct nor do they have the concern to correct it. Regarding this, there are two traits that are very distasteful to me, and let alone me, in the … [Read more...]

By Hazrath Moulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi R.A   The fast of 'Ashura was prescribed before the fasts of Ramadan. The Jews observed it and so did the people of Arabia before the dawn of Islam. It is related by Imam Bukhari on the authority of Ibn-i-Abbas that when the Prophet came to Madinah he found that the Jews observed the fast of 'Ashura. He enquired about it from them and was told that it was the day on which God had delivered the … [Read more...]

When was the last time you used a miswak? Was it a couple of weeks ago? Months, or even a couple of years ago? It’s strange that few Muslims use a miswak these days, especially since it is an established sunnah and moreover there are so many products marketed as being derived from “miswak”. I’ve seen miswak toothpaste, miswak candy, and miswak chewing gum. I’ve seen lots of stores selling miswak. But it is rare that I actually see a Muslim with … [Read more...]

THE RAMADAN OF MAULANA RASHEED AHMAD GANGOHI: I have written in AAP BETI No 6 under the heading of spiritual exertion, that while dictating the practices of Hazrat Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi in Ramadan, I wanted to note it down because of its relevance to the subject. There I wrote: “His extreme exertion in spiritual exercises were such that onlookers felt pity for him. Such was he that in Ramadan, even when his age had advanced beyond seventy, he … [Read more...]