Hadrat Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem al-Siddiqi al-Meerathi [d.1373H/1954CE] 'alayhi al-rahmah wa'l ridwan
Pir al Tariqat Hadrat Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem al-Siddiqi al-Qadiri al-Madani al-Meerathi Rahmatullah 'alayh was born in the blessed month of Ramadhan, on 3 April 1892 (15 Ramadhan 1310H), in Meerat, India. He was a shining luminary from the family of the first caliph of Islam; Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq Radi Allah ta'ala 'anhu. He not only captured the hearts' of thousands throughout the world but also improved the lives of several thousand people. Shah Abd 'al Aleem al-Siddiqi came from a very distinguished ancestral background who were all well respected for their faith, piety, purity, sincerity and intelligence (All praise to Allah). As both scholars & teachers of tasawwuf they were all driven in the same blessed direction: preaching Islam and serving humanity. Their teachings focused on the reconciliation of shariah and tariqat. Their high spiritual devotion and their eagerness in the promotion of tasawwuf made them great Sufis of their time. People by the thousands gathered around them, seeking their guidance and spiritual advice. Coming from such a divine lineage, this paved the road for Hadrat Mawlana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqi Rahmatullahi 'alayh's spiritual quest.
Shah Abd 'al Aleem Rahmatullahi 'alayh was an exceptionally intelligent child who proved to have an intellectual capacity beyond his years. He completed the memorisation of the Noble Qur'an at the age of 4 years and ten months at the Madrassa Islamiya Arabiya, at Meerat. He studied urdu, persian, and arabic from the blessed companionship of his noble father. At the age of only 9, his oratory skills matured and he consequently delivered his first public speech at the Jammia Masjid of Meerat, where he mesmerised the audience for 90 minutes with his captivating eloquence.
His father left this world when Shah Abd 'al Aleem Rahmatullahi 'alayh was 16 yrs of age. Shah Abd 'al Aleem obtained a degree in theology and studied many modern subjects as well as Law. His motivation to proliferate Islam inspired him to meet with Mujaddid al-A'zam al-Imam Hadrat Shah Ahmad Raza Khan Bareilly Rahmatullahi 'alayh who was then the greatest living Islamic scholar, & who had agreed to become his mentor. During his apprenticeship with al-Imam ash-Shah Ahmad Raza Khan he had the opportunity to absorb many lessons and teachings from this great scholar. He acquired an advanced knowledge in Qur'anic Rules, hadith, tasawwuf and the four Islamic laws in Makkah and Madina under the strict guidance of Shaykh Ahmad As-Shams Rahmatullahi 'alayh of Morrocco, Shaykh As-Sunnua Rahmatullahi 'alayh of Libya and Mawlana Abdul Baqi of Faranghi Mahal of Madina. Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem Rahmatullahi 'alayh also studied the Arabian Medicine System from Hakim Qazi Inteshan-al-Din of Meerat. The knowledge of medicine imparted to him had proven to be of great help for his humanitarian efforts and serving the ailing population in many countries.
His next mission started when he was ordered by his spiritual teachers to visit the sacred land of Makkah. His journey to Makkah was the culmination of his spirituality, it was at that pinnacle moment that his lessons in 'Baatin' (inner) had to be lived in "zahiri' (exterior). He set himself, body & soul to the pilgrimage in 1919CE. His life took a different turn when he stepped onto the hallowed steps of our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's Mosque and his ennobled shrine [rawdah mubarak] ; immediately he was convinced and inspired that he was a man chosen by Allah The Almighty and our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam to sacrifice his entire life to the service of humanity. His mission was handed over by the Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam to his heart and soul, and it was here when his real journey commenced. He endured many painful obstacles and tribulations, but continued to persist through them with admirable patience. His heart was set to acquire the inner knowledge that he was taught during his early years. His approach to tasawwuf and spirituality was a distinctive feature that differentiated Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem Rahmatullahi 'alayh from other living scholars. The desire to spread the teaching of Islam became so intense, that he travelled far and wide not only to spread Deen Islam and to enrich people's conception about spirituality but also for the gratification of his soul.
Dunya Chaani Alaam Mein Phira, Paar Tera Shuragh kahin Na Mila
Jab Chasame Basirat se Dekha, hein Dil ke Andar Tu Hi Tu
He travelled throughout the entire globe for approximately 30 years with that sacred inspiration and mission: to revive humanity and to reveal the truth to everyone's heart. He was not only a scholar, but also a highly endowed spiritual master conveying the message. He brought spiritual illumination to the hearts of thousands; Muslims and Non-Muslims. His prayers had given hope to many that were struck by incurable illnesses. People around the world felt the sweetness of his presence. Many were attracted by his sincerity, others by the manifestation of a divine light, which encompassed his entire being and many others, by his friendly and compassionate attitude. His blessed presence and spiritual magnetism had given new impetus to the religious and social lives of thousands. He had gained a high esteem in everybody's heart and continues to be remembered by so many as a great Sufi and spiritual leader.
In the wake of his visits to different part of the world, he urged Muslims to build orphanages for the helpless youths, infirmaries for the destitute, hospitals for the suffering, spiritual assemblies for spiritual discipline, libraries for the preservation of the Islamic traditions and intellectual heritage, several masajids, organisations of Ulemas for the coordination of Islamic forces, Muslim youth Brigade & Muslims scouts for the physical and moral discipline of the youth.Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem Rahmatullahi 'alayh also encouraged the publication of several magazines such as 'Muslims Digest' and the 'Ramadan Annual' (South Africa), The 'Real Islam' (Singapore) and the 'Prophet's Birthday [Mawlid] Annual' (Mauritius). He himself compiled his missionary works in terms of books or articles under the following titles:
History of the Codification of Islamic Law Cultivation of Science by Muslims
Bahar-e-Shabab for Youth
A Short Catechism of Islam
Meeting Between a Shavian and a Theologian
The Universal Teacher
The Universal Religion
The Islamic Ideal
Quest for True Happiness
The Meaning of Worship
Women and their Status in Islam
The Forgotten Path of Knowledge
Islam's Answer to the Challenge of Communism
Kitabb at-Tasawwuf ( Urdu)
Dhikr-e-Habeeb and many others
It was the 22nd of Dh'ul Hajjah (August 22, 1954) at the age of 63 after a last visit to the Beloved Mesenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam that Mawlana Shah Abd 'al Aleem al-Siddiqi Rahmatullah 'alayh left this world for the hereafter. Allah the Almighty had responded to his prayers, as he always desired to be buried in Madina Munawwara. His body rests peacefully at the Jannat al Baqi near the tomb of Hadrat Ayesha Siddiqa Radi Allahu Ta'ala 'anha. He left behind a legacy in the shape of Mawlana Shah Ahmad Noorani [d.1424H/2003CE] Rahmatullah 'alayh who himself was a world renowned Islamic scholar, sufi, and orator of outstanding pedigree; Shah Ahmad Noorani was only 12 years old when his eminent father Shah Abdul Aleem Rahmatullah 'alayh passed away.
The above article was taken from:
http://www.spiritualfoundation.net/sufisshaykhs6.htm
Do visit the World Federation of Islamic Missions website to listen to a lecture delivered by Molana Mohammed Abdul aleem Siddiqui al-Qadri R.A. and the speeches of his Khalfah Molana Fazlur Rahman Ansari al-Qadri R.A.:
http://www.wfim.org.pk/
Hazrat Moulana Mohammed Abdul Aleem Siddiqui al-Qadri R.A.s articles/books:
A Shavian and a Theologian
An Illuminating Conversation between George Bernard Shaw and His Eminence Mohammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui, al Qaderi: http://muslim-canada.org/shavian.htm
What is Islam go to: http://www.barkati.net/booklets/islam.htm
The Principles of Islam:
http://www.nooremadinah.net/EnglishBooks/ThePriniplesofIslam/ThePriniplesofIslam.asp
or at: http://www.barkati.net/booklets/principl.htm
Women and their status in Islam: http://muslim-canada.org/women.htm
Preservation, Arrangement and Compilation of the Holy Qur'an
Excepted from:- The History of the Codification of Islamic Law :
http://muslim-canada.org/appendixa.htmThe Arrangement and compilation of the Holy Quran, The Compilation of the Prophetic traditions and the Biographies of the Reporters, Ijtihad and the Mujtahid, Preservers of Hadith Scholars of Law, by Ml Abdul Aleem Siddiqui R.A. and other articles by Mufti Ahmed Yar Khan Naeemi R.A. also on Taqleed, Ijtihad:
http://www.gatewaytomadina.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=13&Itemid=2The Elementary Teachings of Islam: http://muslim-canada.org/elementary_1.html
Whosoever recited: "There is none worthy of worship but Allah" . . . shall enter Paradise !?! :
http://muslim-canada.org/siddiqui.htmlIjtihad and Mujtahid :
http://muslim-canada.org/ijtihadmujtahid.html Milad-un-Nabi (Urdu):
http://muslim-canada.org/miladurdu1.html More links to English pdf articles/books by Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui R.A. Courtesy of Shaykh G F Haddad from www.livingislam.org :
Dimensions of Islam Volume 1 (includes the following five books)
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A Shavian and a Theologian
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Quest for True Happiness
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Cultivation of Science by the Muslims
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The Universal Religion
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Spiritual Culture in Islam
Dimensions of Islam [Volume Two]
by Mawlana Abdul Aleem Siddiqi al-Qadiri 'alayhi rahman
This Volume contains the following chapters :
> The Clarion call
> The forgotten path of knowledge
> The History of the Codification of Islamic Law
> Women & their Status in Islam
> The Principles of Islam
> The Universal Teaching.
Do note that 'Dimensions of Islam' a collection of Molana Abdul aleem Siddiqui R.A.s books, volume 1 and volume 2 can be bought from the Raza Academy: http://www.raza.org.za/Books/book%20shop.htm (bear with them they're just busy redoing the website, their other details are given below) in south africa or Volume 2 in the UK from Madani Propagation:
http://www.madanipropagation.com/main/page_sufi_books_abdul_aleem_siddiqui.html
For other English translated lectures/books of Great Ulama including Hazrat Molana Mohammed Shafee Okarvi R.A., Shah Ahmed Noorani Siddiqui R.A., Maulana Fazlur Rahman Ansari R.A. and Imran Nazar Hosein R.A. please visit: http://madniaqa.net/ForumReply.asp?TopicID=1174
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