5.20 Issuing Fatwa

Then he was not only a Muballigh. In fact, he was a Mufti even during his study days. This was due to his Special Ustaad, Moulana Muhammad Ya’qoob Saheb entrusting the work of Fatwa to him considering his extraordinary brilliance and intelligence, and his knowledge and piety.

He would answer difficult and lengthy questions with extreme ease and comprehensiveness but concisely. Once, he brought a lengthy, exhaustive and proof-packed answer to a similar lengthy question for Moulana’s endorsement. Moulana perused the entire answer and upon signing remarked: “It seems that you have plenty of time at your disposal.”

From then on he would suffice with concise and precise answers.

5.21 Perceiving Reality

In spite of possessing such Allah-given capabilities in his student years his perception of reality was so lofty that in 1300 Hijri when a grand jalsah was inaugurated in Deoband in which he was to be crowned with the turban, he and some of his fellow students upon hearing of the ‘dastaar bandi’ came to Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ya’qoob Saheb and humbly said:
“Hazrat! We have heard that a ‘turban-tying ceremony’ will be held for us and certificates will be issued to us, whereas we are not at all worthy of this. Therefore, do cancel this proposal. If not then the Madrasah will be defamed, truly; such misfits have been issued with certificates!”

Having listened to this Moulana became emotional and declared:
“Your thought is erroneous. Here, since you are in the presence of your Asaatizah, therefore you do not see yourself to be anything. And it should be like that. But when you go from here then you will come to know of your worth. Wherever you go it will be you and only you. The field will be clear for you. Rest assured.”

This forecast was fulfilled to the letter. Leave alone the general public and ordinary Ulama, even eminent Ulama and Fuzala respected his worth and rank.

5.22 Spiritual Training

Since Haq Ta’ala bestowed him with such extraordinary capabilities which were automatically nurturing him spiritually and He granted him such an illuminated insight which showed him Siraat-e-Mustaqeem from childhood, there was no need for anyone to concentrate on giving him special spiritual training from childhood till he completed his studies. All his work automatically was being carried out correctly. Therefore, there was never the need for reprimand and rebuke or warning and cautioning. The need for encouragement, as a matter of fact, did not even arise. If there was some deficiency left, which escaped the gaze of anyone, the All-Powerful made special arrangements for its fulfilment.

This is endorsed by the following episode which he himself wrote in Sidqur Ru’ya:
“During my study days in Madrasah Aaliyah Deoband I saw a Buzrug in a dream. He asked me: ‘What is your age and when is your birthday?’ I told him my age and that my birth date is 5^th Jumaadath Thaani. That Buzrug went on to say: ‘Two days before your birthday keep two fasts. There will be barkat.’ I practised on it and for several years I continued until I became complacent. Once, during that period I practised on that deed. However, I must have kept one fast. I mentioned the dream to one of my close relatives. He asked me the description of the Buzrug. After listening to the description he said: ‘That was Hafiz Ghulaam Murtaza (Quddisa Sirruhu)’.

He was Majzoob, but a pure Buzrug. The Shuyookh of Tareeqat have praised him. In fact, Hazrat Murshidi Haji Saheb (Quddisa Sirruhu) also praised him.”

Similarly, Hazrat Moulana Shaikh Muhammad Muhaddith-e-Thanwi who was amongst the elite Khulafa [Vicegerents] of Miaji Noor Muhammad (Nawwarallahu Marqadahu) and the Peer-Bhai [Co-Mureed] of Hazrat Haji Imdaadullah (Quddisa Sirruhu), when he used to see him [Hazrat Thanwi] going to primary Madrasah he would comment:
“After me this boy will take my place.”

It happened as such. After him [Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Saheb] in that town Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali was the embodiment of academic and spiritual knowledge. After Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Saheb’s demise, in the realm of dreams he said to Hazrat Thanwi:
“Even now our gaze is on you just as it was in our lifetime.”

To summarize, his student days were also a manifestation of Haq Ta’ala’s limitless favours. Otherwise, chances are rare of seeing so many excellences in one person, that as a student he is a Muballigh,[1] a Mufti,[2] a Musannif,[3] a Muttaqi,[4] a Munaazir,[5] a Ma’qooli,[6] a Mu’tadil,[7] a Maahir[8] and then Munfarid[9] above all.

ذٰالِكَ فَضْلُ اللهِ يُؤٍتِيْهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ
That is the grace of Allah Ta’ala
which he gives to whomever He wishes
(Surah Jumu’ah, 4)

[1] preacher

[2] authorized in issuing religious verdicts

[3] author

[4] devout

[5] debater

[6] philosopher and logician

[7] having a balanced nature/temperate

[8] expert

[9] unique