World of Tasawwuf

In the time of the Prophet, Tasawwuf was a reality without a name, today Tasawwuf is a name, but few know its Reality

Alim al Rabbani




Sultan al Waizeen

Alim al-Rabbani Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf [d.1347 H]

 Hadrat Allama Al Hajj Abu Muhammad Mawlana Sayyad Shah Ahmad Ashraf
Rahmatullahi ta'ala alayh



UPDATED : 15th June 2007




INTRODUCTION
BIRTH
EDUCATION
DASTAR-E-FAZILAT
KHILAFAT
MARRIAGE
JANASHEEN
BHAGALPUR
WISSAL







A'LA HADRAT ASHRAFI MIYA | MUHADDITH AL A'ZAM | SARKAR AL KALAN | SHAYKH AL ISLAM




Introduction



Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was a great saint and revered all over the Muslim world. His knowledge was so vast that great scholars of his time were amazed and always in awe.

Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was one of the most remarkably eloquent orators of his time which earned him the title 'Sultan al-Wa'izeen'. The eminent scholar and religious personality A'la Hadrat Mujaddid-e-Deen o Millat Imam-e-Ahl as-Sunnat Mawlana Ash Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Radi 'Allahu anhu of Bareilly Shareef used to stand with respect when listening to the speech's of Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh stating that Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf's Rahmatullahi alayh words made him feel closer to Madinah Shareef.



Birth



Alim-e-Rabbani Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh is the son of A'la Hadrat Ashrafi Miya Radi Allahu anhu. He is also the maternal grandfather of Hadrat Shaykh al-Islam w'al Muslimeen and maternal uncle and Pir-o-Murshid of Makhdoom al-Millat Hadrat Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind Rahmatullahi alayh. Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was born in Kicchocha Shareef on the 4th of Shawwal 1286 Hijri which is 1869 Common Era.


Education



In keeping with the tradition of the annointed Sufia-e-Kiram, the custom of beginning reading in the name of Allah Almighty - Bismillah Khani - was performed in spiritual surroundings by a well known Muhaddith, Hadrat A'le Ahmad Phulwaree Rahmatullahi alayh who taught the science of aHadith at Masjid-e-Nabawi for forty years. Hadrat A'le Ahmad Phulwaree Rahmatullahi alayh was already in the house of A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu in Chillah (forty day mediation) and as such Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was able to start his education with such a distinguished personality.


Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh received his early education at home from his illustrious father A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu. He went onto receive the best of tuition available at the time from Mawlana Muin al-Din Abul Khayr Manekpuri and Ustad al-Ulama Hadrat Muhammad Luftullah Aligarhi Ridwanullahi ta'ala aliahi m'ajmain who took him under his wing.



Dastar-e-Fazilat



It is the tradition that the Dastar-e-Fazilat (turban of honour) is awarded after the completion of Dars-e-Nizami in the Masjid. However Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh is extremely fortunate that he dreamt that the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam wrapped the turban on his head. As a result of this remarkable dream no Dastar Bandi ceremony took place, as it was deemed it was no longer necessary. This incident obviously had a profound and lasting effect on him.


Khilafat



After completing his studies and education Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh became a mureed (disciple) of his father A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu. Everyone knew Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was destined for spiritual greatness from birth and the mujahideen he endured for forty days under the spiritual guidance of his Pir-o-Murshid. It was after this that he obtained ijazzat (permission) of Silasil (orders) and Khilafat (successorship).



Marriage




Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh married the daughter of Hadrat Sayyad Shah Ashraf Hussain Rahmatullahi alayh in 1309 Hijri. 'Ustad al-Ulama' Hadrat Mawlana Muhammad Luftullah Aligarhi Rahmatullahi alayh performed the nikah ceremony. Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh had three daughters and one son - Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf, who became known globally as 'Sarkar-e-Kalan'  Rahmatullahi alayh.



Janasheen


A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu nominated Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh as his Wali Ahad Janasheen in 1327 A.H (1910) to which he remained for nearly twenty years until he left this world in 1347 Hijri. Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh served his mureeds with dignity and humilty and was totally devoted as sajjada nasheen. He travelled effortlessly throughout the sub-continent preaching and guiding the light of Ahl as-Sunnah and the wisdom of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to every corner he crossed. Together with His Eminence Makhdoom al-Millat Hadrat Muhaddith al-A'zam-e-Hind Rahmatullahi alayh, Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh were known as the kings of orators of their time.


Through the many journeys of Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, he acquired many noteworthy khalifa's and disciples. Of the most noteworthy to our knowledge (more will be added on the next update) :

1. Makhdoom al-Millat Huzur Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind
2. Mawlana Sayyad Shah Mustafa Ashraf - Kicchocha Shareef
3. Mawlana Sayyad Muhiyuddin Ashraf 'Achhe Miya' - Kicchocha Shareef



Visit to Bhagalpur



Of the many journeys of Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, Bhagalpur and Machipur are special in that since he first arrived there he captivated the villagers with his extraodinary speeches and humble nature. This region to this day is very much an Ashrafi foothold as a large number of Muslims and their successive families have all come into the Ashrafiya Silsila.


Wissal

 

Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh left this temporary world in 1347 Hijri (1930), leaving behind one son Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf 'Sarkar-e-Kalan' Rahmatullahi alayh and three daughters, as well as a large number of disciples and followers in mourning. Sadly illness had confined him to bed for nineteen days and he passed away after performing Isha Salat on the 15th of Rabi al-Thani 1347 Hijri. Hundreds of thousands attended his Janaza Namaaz (funeral prayer). His grave is next to the shrine of his father and murshid A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu.


In his journal 'Aswad al-A'zam' Sadr al-Afazil Mawlana Naeem al-Din Muradabadi Rahmatullahi alayh paid homage to him with the following words:


"Today every corner of Islami Hind has turned into a sea of grief and sorrow in which the dashing waves of sadness and distress do not allow to row the boat of patience : the whole world of Islam is dipping in the vortex of grief."


           "Hazron sal nargis apni benooripa roti hai
            Bari mushkil se hota chaman mai dedawar paida"


This tragedy shook the Ashrafi Dynasty to its roots as Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was regarded as the flag bearer of the Ashrafi household. However Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh had already groomed his nephew and son-in-law Mawlana Abul Muhamid Pir Sayyad Shah Muhammad Ashrafi al-Jilani Kicchochawi (Huzoor Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind) Rahmatullahi alayh as his natural successor and passed onto him his entire spiritual qualities and characteristics. Hadrat Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind Rahmatullahi alayh was showered with blessings from A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu and Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, and was fortunate enough to receive khilafat from Hadrat Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh in the holy City of Madinah Sharif at the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's shrine.



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