10 Radiant Scholars of Ahl al-Hadith; Ahl al-Bid’ah Wished Were Never Born!
[2]
Shaikh Abdul Haq al-Hashimi
1302H-1392H
(1884c-1972c)
Compiled, Translated and Annotated
Abu Khuzaimah Ansari
Numerous scholars have been born and served Islam in spreading its message and Calling to the Tawhid of Allah, however, there were very few who were in of themselves a community or the same affect as a group of scholars. From them was the likes of Shaykh Abu Muhammad Abdul Haq al-Hashimi Muhajir Makki. He was instrumental in helping hundreds of people to guidance with the permission of Allah, he was a formidable scholar, an expert, an orator who continued this blessed dawah for decades. He was a scholar, an orator, Khatib, a teacher and a writer.
His dawah efforts are spread over 70 years across the subcontinent and Saudi Arabia, where he would deliver lectures from the most basic of subjects to the most complex of discussions ranging from Hadith science’s through to Rijal discussions. His writings and books alone which number many are in themselves a testimony to the depth and veracity of his knowledge. Allah had indeed gifted him with his dawah and constant, consistent and continuous dawah in the best possible manner.
His Name and Lineage
He is Shaykh, the Allamah, the Muhaddith, al-Musnad al-Ilmi, the destroyer of Shirk and bid’ah, Abu Muhammad Abdul Haq al-Hashimi, his lineage goes back to Umar bin al-Khattab (RadhiAllahu Anhu) in 42 generations and is as follows,
Abu Muhammad Abdul Haq bin Abdul Wahid bin Muhammad bin Hashim bin Ramadan bin Bilal bin Hibatullah bin Ali bin Isma’il bin Jalal bin al-Shams bin al-Amir bin Ja’far bin Abdur Rahman bin Jalal bin Muhammad Kabir bin al-Amir bin Wasil bin Abul Abbas bin Hashim bin Muhammad al-Kabir bin Abdur Rahman bin Jalal bin Mahmud bin Umar bin Jalal bin al-Amir bin Muhammad bin al-Amir bin Najib bin Umar bin Nasir bin Muhammad bin Abid bin Abi Bakr bin Najib bin Zayd bin Abid bin Abi Muslim bin Abdullah bin Abbas bin Muhammad bin Zayd bin Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab (RadhiAllahu Anhuma) (Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah p.27)
The Shaykhs name of al-Hashimi he took from his great grandfather. The Shaykh Rahimahullah dictated his own biography which his son, Shaykh Abu Turab al-Zahiri penned down in 1382H, therefore at times the biography will change from third person to first person. There have been other biographies too but mostly small and short.
Early Education
The Shaykh said,
“I was born in 1302H (1884ce) in Kotla Shaikhan in the state of Bhawalpur, I grew up with my parent’s love as I was the youngest and my brothers who were born before me passed away and as being the only and youngest child I received all the love of my parents. They raised me very well with excellent cultivation.” (Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah p.19)
Some scholars have mentioned the Shaykh was born in 1301H, which is to be taken lightly as the Shaykh had more knowledge when he was born that a third party. (A’dat al-imam bukhari fi sahih p.9)
Shaykh Muhammad Ishaq Bhatti in his biography often cites from the dictated biography of Shaykh Abdul Haq which can be referred. (Dabistan Hadith p.312-320)
The Shaykh said,
“I read the Quran to my father, I also studied Persian as well as books on Nahw and Sarf ie grammar and syntax. He later sent me to other cities and towns in order to seek knowledge. I learnt various sciences from experts and specialized teachers, syntax, grammar, meanings, orating, balagha, adab-conduct, language and poetry. I further studied books on Aqidah and Usul al-Fiqh, I also learnt and studied fundamental books on tafsir and fiqh with my teachers. I then directed my main focus and study to the sciences of the Quran and Hadith, thereby began reading and looking into the books of the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah.” (Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah p.19-20, Dabistan Hadith p.312)
The Shaykhs father, Shaykh Abdul Wahid was a scholar and person of knowledge in his own right, he spread Tawhid and Sunnah in his land. He would work during the day and learn at the same time and then teach the young Abdul Haq. Shaykh Abdul Wahid had a longing for his son to seek knowledge and learn the Islamic sciences. So he sent Shaykh Abdul Haq to other cities of learning, where he would further seek knowledge of the sacred sciences. He travelled to Multan, Batala and Delhi at the request of his father, he also travelled to numerous villages and smaller towns. (A’dat al-imam Bukhari fi sahih p.9)
His Aqidah and Manhaj
The Shaykh was as Salafi as they come, radiant, clear and manifest in his beliefs and the principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah which is further evident in his books and his teachings. He says
“My Aqidah is the Aqidah of the Salaf us-Saleh, the same Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jam’ah, the Fuqaha and the Muhadithin. My Aqidah is to act on the Quran and Sunnah and to take the apparent ie Zahir meaning without ta’wil or tahrif and my madhab is the madhab of Ashabul Hadith in belief and actions.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.5)
He also said,
“It is Allahs blessing upon me that I am from the Ummah of the leader of the children of Adam and then he had further blessings on me that he guided me to the Ahl al-Hadith and Salafiyin in Aqidah and actions.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.18)
He opposed taqlid and loved the pure Sunnah, he warned and abandoned taqlid while have respect for the Imams as he says. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.5)
Shaykh Hamad al-Ansari said,
“He did not restrict himself to a madhab as he had profound knowledge of the hadith likewise his immense knowledge of hanafi fiqh.” (Majmu’a Tarjamah al-Shaykh Hamad al-Ansari 2:613)
His Teachers
The Shaykh had over 60 teachers and his son, Abu Turab al-Zahiri says his father did not mention more than half of them due to their beliefs and manhaj not being in accordance with the Salaf us-Salah.
The Shaykh said,
“I have many teachers and I would like to mention the ones I sought knowledge from and they are those whose beliefs were in accordance with the Salaf us-Salihin with regards to Tawhid, Iman and in issues of the Sifat of Allah ie the ones who had the correct and sound Aqidah. The very same teachers who who rejected and shunned taqlid and lived their life accordance with following and obeying ie Ittiba of the Quran and Sunnah, they gave me their asanid and ijazat. From them are the likes of
- Shaykh Abul Qasim Isa bin Ahmad al-Rai’i
I studied numerous books on grammar with him, in hadith I studied Mishkat and the six canonicals books of hadith, some parts of Tafsir Tabari, Imam Baihaqi’s books al-Asma wa’s-Sifat and many other books which I heard from him. He was the student of Shaykh al-Hindh, Mahmud al-Hasan Deobandi and others.
- Shaykh Abu al-Fazal Imam al-Din bin Muhammad bin Majah al-Qanbari al-Ghazani al-Salmani.
I studied Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and Abu Dawud with him and heard the other three Sunans. I read the whole of Musnad Ahmad, parts of Tafsir Ibn Jarir, Tafsir al-Baydawi and books on Balagha like Matawwul of Taftazani and other books on language and moral conduct. He was the student of Abdul Qadir Ludhiyanwi and Shaykh Abul Khair Yusuf bin Muhammad Baghdadi.
- Shaykh Abu al-Fazal Muhammad bin Abdullah Riyasati.
He gave his ijazah al-Riwayah to me by writing it with his own hand. He was from the students of Shaykh al-Kul Sayyid Nazir Hussain.
- Shaykh Abu Abdul Rabb Muhammad bin Abi Muhammad Ghayti.
I studied Muwatta Imam Malik with him and also books on moral conduct like Maqamat Hariri and other books like Dawawayn. I also heard many books on fiqh and hadith from him. He was the student of Shaykh ul-Hindh.
- Shaykh Abu Yasar Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Ghayti.
I read parts of Sahih al-Bukhari to him and he was from the students of Muhaddith Sayyid Nazir Hussain.
- Shaykh Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Salim Baghdadi Madani
I studied and read Sahih al-Bukhari, Musnad Ahmad and other books of hadith from him. He had many teachers, from them was Ustadh Sayyid Abdur Rahman bin Abbas bin Abdul Rahman and Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Humayd Makki. He wrote the Ijazah al-Riwayah with his hand and gave it to me.
- Shaykh Abu Isma’il Ibrahim bin Abdullah Lahori.
I read parts of Sahih al-Bukhari to him
- Shaikh Abu Muhammad bin Mahmud Tanafisi
I heard parts of Sahih al-Bukhari from him, he was from the students of Sayyid Nazir Hussain Muhaddith Dehlawi
- Shaykh Abdul Tawaab Qadirabadi
I read the six canonical books of hadith to him and Musnad Ahmad, he was also from the students of Sayyid Nazir Hussain
- Shaykh Abu Abdullah Uthman al-Hussain Azimabadi
I read several parts of Sahih al-Bukhari to him. He was from the students of Sayyid Nazir Hussain.
- Shaykh Abul Hasan Muhammad bin Hussain Dehlawi
I received Ijazah for Riwayah directly from which he wrote with his band for me.
- Shaykh Abul Wafa Thanullah Amritsari
I also received Ijazah for riwayah from him
- Shaykh Abu Sa’id bin Abdur Rahim Batalwi
I studied the six books of hadith with him and Musnad Ahmad, I read several parts of Mu’ajam and Masanid to him. He gave me his ijazah to narrate directly and wrote it with his hand. He is also from the students of Shaykh al-Kul Sayyid Nazir Hussain.
- Shaykh Hussain bin Haydar Hashimi
I read some parts of Bukhari to him, he narrates from Shaykh Hussain bin Muhsin al-Ansari
- Shaykh Abu Idris Abdul Tawwab bin Abdul Wahhab Secundarabadi
I read Sahih al-Bukhari to him and he is also from the students of Shaykh Hussain bin Mushin al-Ansari.
- Shaykh Abu Muhammad Hibatullah bin Mahmud Milani
I recited some parts of Sahih Bukhari to him and heard other parts from him as well as Sahih Muslim and Sunan al-Arba. He also narrates from Hussain bin Muhsin al-Ansari
- Shaykh Khalil bin Muhammad bin Hussain bin Muhsin al-Ansari
I recited Sahih al-Bukhari to him in the Haram and he narrates from his paternal grandfather, ie Shaykh Hussain bin Muhsin al-Ansari
- Shaykh Sa’id bin Muhammad Makki
I heard parts of Sahih al-Bukhari from him.
- Shaykh Umar bin Abu Bakr Hadhrami Makki
I heard parts of Sahih al-Bukahri from him.
- Shaykh Hibatullah Abu Muhammad Mahdawi
I read so many books to him and also heard many books from him. He was from the students of Shaykh Hussain bin Muhsin al-Ansari.
- Shaykhana Sayyid Nazir Hussain Muhaddith Dehlawi
This was a general ijazah which he gave to everyone of his era. He narrates from 2 Mashaykh, from there are
Shaykh Abdur Rahman bin Suleiman Yamani, Shaykh Muhammad Abid Sindhi, and from the major scholars he narrates from is Shah Ishaq Mihaddith Dehlawi who narrates from Shah Abdul Aziz Muhadith Dehlawi who narrates from his father Wali Allah bin Abdur Rahim Muhaddith Dehlawi and he in turn narrates from his teacher Abu Tahir al-Kurdi al-Madani and his chains are famous and mentioned in the al-Thabt of Shawkani and I have also mentioned my chains of ijazah in my Thabt. (Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah p.23-27)
The Books He Studied
Sarf
Zaradi, Zanjani, its Sharh by Taftazani, al-Shafiyyah of Ibn al-Hajib, its Sharh by Jarbardi and al-Radi. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.27)
Nahw
Sharh Awamil Jurjani of Jami, Hidahay al-Nahw of Abii Hayyan, al-Kafiyyah of Ibn Hajib and corrected it and its Sharh al-Kifayah of Jami and al-Radi, al-Fiyyah Ibn Malik, its Sharh of Ibn al-Nazim, Ibn Aqil, al-Makudi and al-Ashmuni, al-Mufassal of Zamakshari, its Sharh by Ibn Ya’ish, Sharh al-Qatar and Shadrat, Awdahal-Masalik, Mughni al-Labib by Ibn Hisham, Kitab Sibawayh and al-Ishbah wa’l Nazair of Suyuti and others. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.27-28)
Adab
I have studied Maqamat Hariri, Maqamat al-Bad’I al-Himdani, Hamasah Abi Tamam, Diwan al-Muntaba and al-Bahtari of Abi Taman, Diwan Hisan and Dawabayn Sha’ara al-Jahiliyyah, Kitab al-Aghani of Abi Faraj al-Isbahani. (Aqidah fiarqtun najiyyah p.28)
Ma’ani & Bayan
Miftah al-Ulum of Sakaki, Talkhis of Qazwaini, al-Mukhtasar wal-Mutawwal of Taftazani, Dalail al-E’jaz wa Israr al-Balagah of Jurjani and al-Taraz of Yahya bin Hamzah. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.28)
Mantiq-Logic
I read some of the famous books on mantiq, from them, Tasghuji, Sharh al-Tahdhib, Sallam and its explanation. I have no interest in seeking knowledge of this. Allah did not put love of this science in my heart and after reading them I never looked at this science ever again. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.28)
Fiqh & Usul al-Fiqh
In the furu of fiqh and in Usul I studied and read, Risalah Imam al-Shafi’i and his al-Umm, Ibn Qudamah, Usul of Ibn al-Hajib, Usul of Qadi Baydawi, Mudawwanah al-Kubra of Sakhnun, al-Mughni of Ibn Qudamah, Sharh al-Muhazzab of Nawawi, I read Mukhtasar al-Quduri and Kunz of Nasafi, Sharh Waqayah, Hidayah of Marghinani, Fath al-Qadir of Ibn Humam, Usul Shashi, Usul Husami, Sharh Nur al-Anwar, Talwih wal-Tawdih, I also looked at Fatawa Alamghiri. I prefer the books of fiqh of the earlier scholars rather than the later ones. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.28)
Tafsir
I read Tafsir Ibn Jarir, Tafsir Baghawi, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Jalayn, Baydawi and Kishaf of Zamakshari to some of my Shaikhs. I have also looked at Fakhr al-Din Razi’s Tafsir, Suyuti’s al-Darr al-Manthur and Tafsir Qurtubi. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29)
Aqidah
I have read to some of my Mashaikh, Sharh al-Aqaid al-Nasafiyyah, Aqidah Tahawiyyah and its Sharh, al-Asma wal-Sifat of Baihaqi and I have also looked and consulted the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in issues pertaining to Aqidah and Tawhid. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29)
Inheritance
I have read al-Sirajiyyah and al-Sharifiyyah to my Mashaykh (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29)
Hadith
Bulugh al-Maram of Ibn Hajr, Mishkat al-Masabih of al-Tabrizi, al-MAsabih of al-Baghawi, Taysir al-Wusul of Ibn al-Dabi’a, Jam’e al-Usul of Ibn Athir, Majma’a al-Zawa’id of al-Haithami, Kunz al-A’mal of Muttaqi, al-Minhaj of Muttaqi, al-Jam’e al-Kabir of Suyuti, and Targhib wal-Tarhib of Mundhiri. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29)
Usul al-Hadith
al-Nukhbah of Ibn Hajr and its Sharh, al-Fiyyah of Iraqi and its Sharh by the author and al-Sakhawi, I have also looked at al-Fiyyah of Suyuti, al-Kifayah of Khatib al-Baghdadi and Suyuti’s Tadrib al-Rawi. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29)
The Six Canonical Books of Hadith and Other Than Them
I have read the following books directly to my teachers, al-Muwatta, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Jam’e al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan al-Nasa’i, Sunan Ibn Majah, Musnad Tayalisi, Musnad al-Darimi, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan al-Kubra of Baihaqi, al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Sunan al-Daraqutni, Musnad al-Shafi’i, al-Adab al-Mufrad of Bukhari, Masanid Ibn Hanifah Mu’ajam al-Tabarani al-Saghir, Sahih Ibn Hibban, Musnad Abu Ya’ala, Musnad al-Bazzar, Musnad al-Firdaws, Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Musnad Abi Awanah, al-Muntaqa of Ibn al-Jarud, al-Mukhtarah of Dhiya al-Din, Sharh Ma’ani al-Athar of Tahawi, Mushkil al-Athar of Tahawi, Mu’ajam al-Kabir of al-Tabarani, Sunan Sa’id bin Mansur, Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah and a part of Musnad Abi Rahawayhah. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.29-30)
The Books of Tarikh & Rijal
I have read the following books in this field, Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, al-Isabah of Ibn Hajr, Usad al-Ghabah of Ibn al-Athir, al-Tajrid of Dhahabi, Taqrib al-Tahdhib, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, of Ibn Hajr, al-Khulasah of Khazraji, Rijal al-Sahihayn of al-Kairasani, Mizan al-Ei’tidal of Dhahabi, al-Kashif of Dhahabi, Tazkirratul Huffaz of Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam al-Nabula of Dhahabi, al-Tahdhib of al-Mizzi, Lisan al-Mizan of Ibn Hajr, Tarikh al-Saghir, Tarikh al-Kabir both of Bukhari, Kitab al-Jarh wal-Ta’dil and al-Illal of Ibn Abi Hatim, al-Illal of Daraqutni, al-Sirah of Ibn Hisham, al-Rawdh of al-Suhaili, al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah of Ibn Kathir, al-Hilyah of Abi Nu’aym, Tarikh Ibn Jarir, Tarikh Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Khatib al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Asbahani of Abu Nu’aym, Tarikh Ibn al-Athir, Tarikh Ibn Khaldun, al-Muntazam of Ibn al-Jawzi, Tabaqat of al-Subki, Tabaqat Ibn al-Khalkan, Ansab of al-Sama’ni, al-Ikmal of Ibn Makaula, Mushtabah al-Nisbah of Dhahabi, Tabsir al-Muntabah of Ibn Hajr, al-Du’afa of al-Uqaili, al-Thiqat of Ibn Hibban and al-Kamil if Ibn Adiyy. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.30)
Arabic Language
I read the following books in Arabic language, Sihah al-Jawhari, Its Sharh Qamus al-Majd, Sharh Taj al-Urus of Zubidi, Maqayis of Ibn Faris, Jamharah Ibn Darid, Lisan al-Arab of Ibn al-Manzur, al-Mukhsis of Ibn Saydah, al-Nihayah of Ibn al-Athir, al-Faiq of Zamakshari, Gharib al-Hadith of Ibn Salam and Ibn Qutaybah and others. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.31)
Explanation of Hadith
I have read, Nasb al-Rayah of Zaila’i, al-Dirayah of Ibn Hajr, Talkhis al-Habir of Ibn Hajr, al-Muntaqa of al-Baji, Sharh al-Muwatta of Zurqani, al-Istazkar of Ibn Abdul Barr, al-Tamhid of Ibn Abdul Barr, Sharh al-Kirmani, Sharh al-Ayni, Sharh al-Qastalni, Sharh al-Zayn Zakariyyah, Fath al-Bari with the Muqaddimah (Hadi al-Sari), A’un al-Ma’bud, Ghayah al-Maqsud (both of A’zimabadi), Minhal al-Mawrid, Mu’allim al-Sunnan, Aridah al-Ahwadhi of Ibn al-Arabi, Tuhfatul Ahwadhi (of Mubarakpuri), Faidh al-Bari, Sharh Nawawi, A’un al-Bari of Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan, Mashariq of Qadi Iyadh and others. I have read most of the works of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his student, Ibn al-Qayyim may Allah have mercy on them. Likewise, I read and benefitted from the works of al-Hafiz Ibn Hazm and I loved his defence of Hadith. (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.31)
Books and Works
Tafsir al-Quran bil-Quran Wal-Sunnah – 9 volumes and incomplete
Sharh al-Bukhari
Sharh Muslim
Sharh Muwatta
Nusrah al-Bari Fi Sharh Tarajim al-Bukhari – 4 Volumes
Mashariq al-Anwar Fi Sharh Ma Fi al-Muwatta wal-Sahihayn Min al-Akhbar – 14 volumes.
Kashf al-Mughta An Rijal al-Sahihayn wal-Muwatta
Miftah al-Muwatta wal-Sahihayn – 7 Volumes
Kitab al-Lubab Fi Sharh al-Tarajim wal-Abwab – 7 Volumes
Atraf al-Musnad – 2 Volumes
Sharh Musnad Imam Ahmad
Fihrisah Musnad al-Imam Ahmad
Tarajim Rijal al-Musnad Imam Ahmad – 4 Volumes
Sharh Muqaddimah Sahih Muslim – 1 Volume
Tarajim Rijal al-Sahihayn – 1 Volume
Thabt al-Marwayat – 1 Volume
Kitab al-Nahw – 1 Volume
Raf’a al-Lawmah An Wadeh al-Yadain Fil Qaumah
Kitab al-Arba’in Ala Sayyid al-Kawnayn
Kitab al-Tamin Bil-Jahr
Kitab Raf al-Yadain Fis Salah – 1 Volume
Kitab Qirah Khalf al-Imam – 1 Volume
Kitab al-Khilafah al-Rashidah – 1 Volume
Kitab al-Jihad – 1 Volume
Kitab Ahwal al-Hashr – 1 Volume
Kitab Kashf al-Iqnah Fi Du’a Badal Salah Bi-Halah al-Ijtimah
Fath al-Wudud Fi Raf al-Yadain Ind al-Sujud
Musannaf Sahihayn – 9 Volumes
Musnad Sahihayn
Kitab Jam’a Bayna Manzumah al-Amir al-Yamani, wal-Fiyyah al-Iraqi wal-Suyuti
Sharh Manzumah al-Amir al-Yamani
Sharh al-Fiyyah al-Suyuti
Kitab al-Maghazi
Kitab al-Siyar – 1 Volume
Muqaddimah Sharh al-Musnad al-Imam Ahmad – 1 Volume
Qabaih al-Yahud
Dalail al-Risalah al-Muhamadiyyah
Kitab al-Takhrij Ahadith al-Musnad
Al-Jam’a Bayna al-Sihah Sittah (incomplete)
Khayr al-Khbar Fi Sharh Himal al-Athar incomplete
al-Badur al-A’rijah Bayna al-Fusha wal-Dirajah
Kitab al-Fawaid wal-Ta’qabat
Kahsf al-Ghamzah An Mutraddad Fi Miqat al-Makki Lil-Umrah
Iqamah al-Hujjah Binna Matamta Alayhi al-Sa’yan Sai al-Umrahwa Sai al-Hujjah
Nasb al-Umud Fi Tahqiq masalah tajafi al-mirah fil ruku wal sujud
Al-Muwazanah bayna musnadi al-imamayn ahmad bin hanbal wa baqi bin makhlad
Masalah al-zakah fima zad alal nasb
Ijazah al-riwayah
Ithbat Inn al-hajr wal-maqam minal jannah
Tahqiq hadith salah musa alayhis salam fi qabrihi
Al-Rubaayat al-mansubah ilal Bukhari
Azan al-tarjih Sunnah matrukah
Qadm ashbab al-hadith
Tahqiq masalah haram al-madinah
Masalah azan al-jawq
Manaqashah amali Mahmud al-hasan hawl sahih al-bukhari
Ithbat tazawuj umm kulthum min umar bin al-khattab
al-Radd Ibn al-Turkamani
Nazam Rijal al-Sahihayn
Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah
(Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.32)
His Life and Efforts
We have already mentioned he would travel to various places to study and gained ijazat from various esteemed scholars. After seeking knowledge, he returned to his village and began teaching. He began expounding the call of Tawhid and Sunnah, he would teach on a daily basis with students following whatever he did during the day.
It is also known about the Shaykh that he faced much oppression, injustice and hardship from his fellow classmates and people of his era. Shaikh Badi al-Din Shah al-Rashidi al-Sindhi mentions they tried to kill the Shaykh many times when his dawah was spreading and the people were accepting it.
Later he moved to a place called Mahnad and began teaching the Quran and Hadith and this continued for approximately 2 years, he also taught Bulugh al-Maram. He also taught other books for example Kafiyyah, Muwatta Imam Malik and the al-Fiyyah of Ibn Malik as well as the expounding on the knowledge of hadith. (Mawlana Sultan Mahmud p.36-37, of Shaykh Muhammad Rafiq Athari)
The Shaikh Thereafter moved to his home area of Kotla Shaikhan and taught the six canonical book of hadith as well as other sciences. He remained in his home town for 3 years and many of his students moved to his home town to benefit from him during the time remained there. (Mawlana Sultan Mahmud p.37)
He then moved to Ahmadpur Sharqiyyah upon the request of some people and then began teaching there whilst residing in Katra Ahmad Khan. His efforts produced a large number of people who accepted the call of the Ahl al-Hadith and a community progressed. The Shaykh spent approximately over 25 years giving dawah and calling to Allah and and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam). He would teach for 14 -18 hours a day at times without resting. (Dabistan Hadith p.313)
He was the Khatib and also had weekly lessons on Tafsir and hadith. He was the first person to organize an Ahl al-Hadith conference in Ahmadpur Sharkiyyah. He invited pioneer scholars of the Ahl al-Hadith from the likes of Shaykh Thanullah Amritsari, Shaykh Muhammad Junaghadi, Shaykh Abul Qasim Banarisi, Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Siyalkoti as well as other major Ahl al-Hadith scholars of the time. (Dabistan Hadith p.313)
It was also in Ahmadpur where the Shaykh expounded the understanding of Bukhari where he would teach it in his unique way, he would expand on the deductions and interpretations of Imam Bukhari. He would elaborate on the fiqh of the hadith as well as talk about the narrators and chains while at times delving into the intricacies of the sciences of hadith. (Mawlana Sultan Mahmud p.37)
Shaykh Abu Turab said when Dar al-Hadith was set up the Shaykh would deliver lessons on the sciences of the Quran and Sunnah, he would go all out and shun the people of desires, innovation and shirk in speaking and writing and many people repented from their disbelief. Many repented from Shirk and sacrificing to the people of the grave. He waged war against the grave worshippers, he had debates with them and Allah gave him victory. He set up learning centres and he approximately produced 100 scholars in Pakistan who were considered the major scholars of today like Shaykh Sultan Mahmud. (Ishyakh wa Maqalat p.12)
In 1948/1949, King Abd al-Aziz bin Sa’ud requested him to come to Saudi Arabia and teach. It is possible that he travelled to Hajj and upon seeing his extensive knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, King Abd al-Aziz issued a royal decree allowing him to teach in the Haram al-Makki. (Mawlana Sultan Mahmud p.51)
His son Shaikh Abu Turab mentions
“He went to Makkah for Hajj and he performed Hajj while it was under the control of the Sharif of Makkah and Malik Abdul Aziz ibn Sa’ud. during which he had academic discussions and discourses with some of the major scholars of the Mamlika, who were impressed with the depth of his knowledge. They studied the explanation of Musnad Ahmad from him and sat with him in his lessons in Makkah while benefitting from him and they were inclined to his knowledge and personality. So these scholars sought from the King Abdul Aziz ibn Sa’ud to issue a royal decree for him to teach in Makkah. From those who requested this was the chief justice al-Shaykh Abdullah bin Hasan Al-ash-Shaykh. The King obliged and issued a royal decree for the Shaykh to teach in Haram Makki in 1367H. The Shaykh continued doing this until he died.” (Ishyakh wa Maqalat p.13)
The Shaykh mentions himself,
“Allah enabled me to migrate to this peaceful land, Makkah and the righteous man, King Abdul Aziz who asked me to teach Masjid al-Haram, May Allah give him a place in Jannatul Firdaws and make his family the guidance and abaility to propagate the Din and its sciences. Amin.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.17)
Shaikh Muhammad Ishaq Bhatti mentions Shaykh Abd al-Haq had enmity for the Sharif of Makkah and when King Abd al-Aziz bin Abdur Rahman al-Sa’ud captured Makkah, Shaykh Abd al-Haq his joy as well as other people of the same understanding and hence they travelled to the Hijaz. (Dabistan Hadith p.316-317)
The Shaykh was a formidable orator and he would travel extensively to the various cities and deliver lectures and sermons. He was softly spoken with clear distinct words which would sit very easily and comfortably with people. He would speak in a simple way for the masses for them to understand the message of Tawhid and Sunnah. In this regard he travelled to Multan, Muzaffargardh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jampur, Jhang, Shawrkot and Bhawalpur. He also travelled to India where he studied and would later also teach and give dawah via lessons and sermons in Amritsar, Batala and Delhi. He would also participate in the India Ahl al-Hadith conferences. (A’dat imam Bukhari fi sahih p.16, Mawlana Sultan Mahmud p.49)
The Shaykh goes onto say,
“This (ie being issued a royal decree) was due to the intervention of the chief Justice Shaykh Abdullah bin Hasan Al-ash-Shaykh, may Allah have mercy on him and give him a plce in Jannah, and the head of the department of Commanding good in Riyadh, Shaykh Umar bin Hasan. These righteous and virtuous people honoured me and may Allah benefit the Muslims through them. I was also honoured by the Grand Mufti Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (Al-ash-Shaykh), the Chief head of commanding the good of Hijaz Shaykh Abdul Malik bin Ibrahim, my noble brother, the great Ustadh Shaykh Abd al-Aziz bin Baz. All of these people were my salafi brothers who aided the Din, the pure Sunnah and were very close to me in the Din, may Allah reward them with good in this world and in the hearafter.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.17)
The Shaykh goes onto say,
“I have been in Makkah for a very long time since 1367H and I teach in Dar ul-Hadith and in Haram of Makkah the 6 books of hadith and Musnad Ahmad and the explanation of the Quran, I seek forgiveness from Allah and I ask him to give me guidance to that which he loves and is happy with.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.17)
He had a remarkable memory with an unprecedented ability to recall texts. He had memorized hundreds and thousands of hadith and he would often recite the books of hadith from memory when teaching his students who would have their books opened in front of them.
He left Pakistan for Saudi Arabia without amassing any wealth, he only left behind his institute of learning, which his grandsons are running in Pakistan. Even when he went to Saudi Arabia, all of the rulers from Abd al-Aziz Ibn Sa’ud to King Faisal had a lot of respect for him and honoured him for his vast knowledge. He never asked for anything, especially money and led a very simple life and just immersed himself in his books and teachings. He spent all of his life in the area of Misfalah in Makkah in a rented house.
He would recite the Quran daily and follow it with reciting a portion of Bukhari in that he would complete both the Quran and the whole of Bukhari in 30 days. Allah had blessed him so much that the Shaykh himself said,
“If Allah was to give me the life of Nuh Alayhis Salam I would still not be bale to thank Allah for his blessings and bounties that he bestowed upon me.” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.18)
He would warn and reprimand the Imams of the Haram for opposing or abandoning some of the Sunnahs of the prayer. (Ittihaf Ahl al-Rasukh)
We have already mentioned that he taught for approximately 70 years in the Subcontinent and Makkah. His Son Shaykh Abu Turab mentions that his father taught hadith for approximately 40 in India/Pakistan and 25 years in the Haram and Dar al-Hadith in Makkah. (Ishyakh wa Maqalat p.13)
His Dreams
The Shaykh had several dreams which he mentions to his son Abu Turab al-Zahiri. He said whilst he was studying hadith he saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) in a dream and the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed in front of him, he was wearing white clothes and his face was radiant like the moon.
In another dream The Shaykh saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) was wearing beautiful clothes while he descended from the the sky, he sat on a chair and he hugged the Shaykh.
In another dream he saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) holding a dead persons body and another person who was holding the body from the feet. The Shaykh was also holding the body and he was at the front, the Shaykh says I then begin to fall into water and then sensed from this dream that I will revive the unpractised Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam).
In another dream the Shaykh found himself in the Prophets (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) apartment and the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) had a large register. I asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) the name of a companion, the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to me to look in the register and he (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) showed me the name.
The Shaykh also said my mother saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) in a dream that he was visiting our house. The Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) called me while I had a writing paper in my hand and he began dictating and I continued to write. My mother approached us and the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) stood up and I also stood up and then we went to another room and he (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) continued to dictate to me.
The Shaykh said,
“I am not narrating these dreams for anything good or bad but rather that this weak person is expressing the bounty and blessing of Allah upon me.”
Shaykh Abdul Haq would also practice calligraphy and script, so much so that he wrote over 37,000 ahadith and 3,000 Quran with his own handwriting, as well as the summary of Sahih al-Bukhari.
The Shaykhs son, Shaykh Abdul Wakil al-Hashmi has all of the Shaykhs works, he also has the Shaykhs library and his books. The Shaykh would often write notes and points of benefits in his books especially books of hadith. The Shaykh would write detailed intricate notes pertaining to hadith and its sciences
What the Scholars Said About him
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz al-Zahrani said I heard Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al-ash-Shaykh say,
“There is NO ONE from Ahl al-Sunnah who explains Sahih al-Bukhari like the explanation of Abu Muhammad Abd al-Haq al-Hashimi.” (as mentioned by Shaykh Badr al-Utaibi in the introduction of the Thabt of Shaykh abd al-Haqq al-Kabir)
Shaykh Abdul Wakil al-Hashimi mentions that he heard from the Grand Mufti Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al-ash-Shaykh that he would send my father questions on Gharaib Ahadith.
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman bin Yahya al-Mu’allami al-Yamani moved to Makkah around at the same time. He was one of the Shaykhs who wrote about the Musnad al-Sahihayn, he wrote,
“Shaykh al-Allamah al-Jalil Abu Muhammad Abd al-Haq bin Abd al-Wahid asked me to stop working on his First volume of his Musnad al-Sahihayn, and it indeed I found it was an impressive compilation between the Sahihayn.”
Shaykh Badi al-Din Shah al-Rashidi al-Sindi said while writing about his book Musnad al-Sahihayn,
“It was authored by Shaykh al-Muhaddith al-Fazil, the scholar Abu Muhammad Abd al-Haq al-Hashimi, a teacher in Haram al-Makki, clear to the people is his upholding of the Sunnah.”
The likes of Shayh Muhaddith Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, Shaykh Abu Khayr Isma’il as-Salafi and numerous other scholars of Hadith from the Subcontinent have written about his works.
Shaykh Ibn Baz after reading his book Aqidah Firqatun Najiyyah said,
“I have looked at the dictated book of al-Shaykh al-Allamah Nasir al-Sunnah, Qame al-Bidah Abu Muhammad Abd al-Haqq al-Hashimi, I found the aqidah he said was in accordance with Tawhid, Imam and names and attributes of Allah upon the way of the companions and Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamah” (Aqidah firqatun najiyyah p.3)
Shaykh Abu Turab said that another time Shaykh Ibn Baz said Shaykh Abd al-Haq was from the people of knowledge the people of our era seek knowledge from.
Shaykh Abu Turab further said
“Shaikh Ibn Baz said that there was a strong bond between him and my father and whenever we would meet he would praise him and invoke Allahs mercy upon him and asking Allah to grant him a high place in Jannah, he would praise my father with great reverence. He would clearly say that he was knowledgeable from the scholars of our time. He introduced his treatise on Aqidah and praised it. When he would attend my father lessons he would be amazed at his explanations. Another time Shaykh Abu Turab mentions once Shaykh Ibn Baz attended the Shaykhs Lessons on Tafsir and Shaykh Ibn Baz asked the people which book is the Shaykh reading from, they said he does not have anything except the mushaf. He was overly amazed and impressed with my fathers knowledge and his preservation or memorization of it.” (Madinah newspaper, 24/2/1420, see also al-Injaz fi tarajmah al-Imam Ibn baz pp.588-589)
Shaykh Umar Abd al-Hadi, the rector of Dar al-Hadith said,
“He was an exemplary scholar with virtuous manners, decorum, uprightness, he loved to spread knowledge and had eagerness to benefit the students until Allah benefitted them. Students with great knowledge and esteem graduated at his hands, he had a great status, with truthfulness in serving knowledge and students, May Allah have mercy upon him and give him a lofty place in Jannah.”
Shaykh Umar Abdul Jabbar said,
“Shaykh Abd al-Haq had memorized the six canonical books of hadith and their chains, he knew the issues of differences between the Imams and their evidences, what had precedence over the other, he respected the views of the Scholars and he loved the earlier scholars.” (al-Bilad newspaper 10/11/1379)
Shaykh Umar Abdul Jabbar wrote a short biography of Shaykh Abd al-Haq in the Bilad newspaper and it is from what Shaykh Abd al-Haqq had dictated to him during his life on the 10th Dhul Qa’dah 1379 corresponding to 6th May 1960.
Shaykh Rabi bin Hadi al-Madkhali said about him,
“He is the Allamah al-Muhaddith Abu (Muhammad) Abdul Haq..” (Tazkir al-Nabihin p.283, Then Shaykh Rabi cites all of the biography from Aqidah firqatun najiyyah) see. p.283-288)
His Students
The Shaykh had hundreds of students spread over the world, major scholars in their own right, from some of the well known ones are,
Shaykh Sultan Mahmud – Shaykh ul-Hadith
Shyakh Thanullah Madani and Shaykh Sultan Mahmud’s son informed me that he taught Sahih al-Bukhari 66 times and it was Shaykh Abd al-Haq who sent Shaykh Sultan to Jalalpur to teach. Allahu Akbar 66 times it would be uncommon for anyone of to have read Bukhari once let alone having studied it once and where is 66 times.
To read more about his biography refer to HERE
This is the heritage of the Salafi’s and Ahl al-Hadith and the service and efforts of the elder scholars of hadith which is their main hallmark and not the one that is often projected of the sociopolitical representation. They continued and strove in spreading the teaching of the Quran and hadith day and night, just teaching, preaching and giving Dawah of the clear meanings and of the Quran and Hadith and thus any fringe minority view of some of the scholars should not be taken as the mainstream way of the Ahl al-Hadith and Salafi’s, it is except a fringe view due to the possible need at the time. More on this later inshaAllah
Shaykh ul-Hadith Abd al-Razzaq-The Shaykhs eldest son
Shaikh Abu Turab al-Zahiri – The Shaykhs son
Shaykh Abdul Wakil al-Hashimi, also the Shaykhs son.
Imam Badi al-Din Sindhi Shah al-Rashidi
Shaykh Abd al-Karim
Shaykh Yamani-the author of Manahil
Shaykh Thanullah Madani
Shaykh Hamad al-Ansari said,
“Shaykh Abd al-Haqq al-Hashimi, I studied with him near the Ibrahim gate of Majid al-Haram al-Makki.” (al-Majmu’a fi tarjamah al-shaykh hamad al-ansari (1:455)
Shaykh Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz bin Aqil gained ijazah from him in 1381H-1382H, he said
“He was a scholar, he would explain Musnad Ahmad, he had weak eyesight and he was unable to see except that he would stand and I do not know how but Allah would return his sight and I surely think I was not confused…. He was Salafi in Aqidah and wed id not find a single word agasint the correct Aqidah”
Shaykh Ibn Aqil also mentions that
“Shaykh Abd al-Haq compiled Bukhari in Musnad form. He also said I visited him for many years and sat in his lessons on the 6 books in our many travels to Makkah, he was a trustworthy scholar and beyond that and I have not heard anything from him or from other Scholars about him except good.”
Shaykh Thanullah Madani was also his student and studied with him in his house and in he Haram in the Summer months. Shaykh Thanullah said
“We would study and learn hadith in general and would concentrate on the 6 books more often and he would sit where (Shaykh) Wasiullah currently sits. He says the Shaykhs style was not common but rather academic, his speech would be clear and easy with overwhelming evidences. He would go into refutations sometimes especially the hanafi’s and one of the differences between Shaykh Abd al-Haqq and the other Shaykhs of the Hijaz was that he would explain an issue completely. He would clarify the fiqh of the hadith without restricting himself to a madhab and would adopt the view closest to the Quran and Sunnah. He would teach Sahih al-Bukhari with his own explanation which was in 14 volumes which he would teach after maghrib. We read many books to him for example Bidayah wan-Nihayah. He served the Din and would debate and discuss with the people of Innovations and Shirk whilst detesting the people of opinion. During Hajj some Hanafis would mention issues from the likes of Ashraf Ali Thanwi and so the Shaykh would vigorously refute them from the Quran and Sunnah”
He further said about him in his Thabt,
“al-Ustadh al-Fazil, the famous Muhaddith and the author of many books.” (Tazkirrah al-Jahabazah al-Darari p.19)
Many of the majors of India and Pakistan would visit him when in Makkah from the likes of great scholars and Imams in their own right like Abdul Rawpari, Shaykh Abdul Jalil Samrudi as mentioned by Shaykh Thanullah Madani and Shaykh Abdul Wakil Hashimi.
Shaykh Abu Turab mentions approximately 100 Scholars and students gained Ijazah to narrate from him from the east and west. Some of the Scholars were from the Major scholars of Najd and the Harams.
Shaykh Hasan Rashid narrated to us at the end of the time due to the immense love of hadith in his last days we would just mention ahadith their chains and this would go on for a long time.
From the Scholars who heard hadith from, benefitted from him and his lessons they include the likes of
Shaykh Sultan Mahmud Jalalpuri
Shaykh Badi al-Din Sindhi
Shaykh Muhibullah Shah a-Rashidi
Shaykh Abdus Samad Sharf al-Din Dehlawi
Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Sumali
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al-ash-Shaykh
Shaykh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Humaid
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abdullah ibn Baz
Shaykh Suleiman al-Sani’a
Shaykh Hamad al-Ansari
Shaykh Isma’il al-Ansari
Shaykh Umar bin Muhammad Fullatah
Shaykh Abdullah Laknawi
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Mazhar
Shaykh Muhammad bin Abd Allah Ad Shanqiti al-Madani
Shaykh Naji bin Muhammad Sayf al-Makhlafi
Shaykh Muhammad al-Hasan al-Hashimi
Shaykh Abd Allah bin Abd al-Aziz bin Aqil
Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Subayyal
Shaykh Yahya bin Uthman al-Mudarris al-Azimabadi
Shaykh Thanullah Madani
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz bin Abdullah bin Sa’id al-Zahrani
Shaykh Suleiman bin Salim bin Abd Allah al-Luhaibi al-Harbi
Shaykh Abu Abdur Rahman bin Aqil al-Zahiri
Shaykh Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Timbuktui
Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul Sattar Dehlawi
Shaykh Abd Allah bin Bukhit
Shaykh Uthman Kiyta al-Madani
Shaykh Ahmad bin Ali al-Huraibi
Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Hakami
Shaykh Ahmad al-Husami
Shaykh Salim bin Ahmad bin A’fif
And many more
The Shaykhs Children
The Shaykh had 6 sons and 3 daughters. From the well known ones are
- The eldest, Shaykh who was a scholar of Hadith Abd al-Razzaq. When Shaykh Abd al-Haq left for Makkah he left his eldest son in his place with regards to teaching in Pakistan.
- Allamah Abd al-Jamil known as Abu Turab al-Zahiri
He was an exception scholar, he worked in the ministry of Saudi Arabia. He was a writer and orator and authored numerous books. He was an expert in the Arabic language and was considered an authority. He said that he read over 200,000 hadith to his father from different books.
- Shaykh Abd al-Wakil al-Hashimi
He replaced his father in his seat in the Haram al-Makki where he taught the books of hadith and other then that. He is alive and resides in Makkah, we had the pleasure of siting with him, he also visited England. He has all of the Shaykhs work, treatises and notes. He is currently rewriting most of the Shaykhs works as he would write very fast. Many elements of this biography of the Shaykh Abd al-Haqq are directly what Shaykh Abdul Wakil narrated to us.
- Shaykh Abd al-Wali al-Hashmi
He also works in Saudi Arabia in different positions
- Abd al-Jalil al-Hashimi
He passed away whilst working
- Muhammad Hashim al-Hashimi.
He also works in Saudi Arabia in different positions
He had a stroke on the 14th of Ramadhan 1392H and he was affected by it severely but he continued his normal daily routine and continue to ask and consult Bukhari. He also continued to teaching and all praise belongs to Allah. in his last days he requested Bukhari and placed his hand over it with love and reverence and then asked for water and drank it, he then looked at the sky and recited the Kalimah of Shahadah, faced the qiblah and then died.
This expert of the Quran and Hadith, a pillar of knowledge died at the age of 92 in 1392H /1972 on the 17th of Shawwal on Thursday at Zuhr. Thousands attended his funeral in Makkah al-Haram after Maghrib and then he was taken to Madinah immediately as per his wishes. They prayed over him again at the fajr prayer in Madinah and he was buried in Baqi between the graves of Imam Malik, Imam Nafe- the Shaikh of the Qura and the famous companion of the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) Uthman bin Maz’un (RadhiAllahu Anhu) and the son of the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) Ibrahim (RadhiAllahu Anhu). (Dabistan Hadith p.318)