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
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan [d.1417 H / 1996 CE]
'Shaykh al-Mashaykh' Hadrat Allama Pir Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf
'Sarkar-e-Kalan' al-Ashrafi al-Jilani al-Kicchochawi
Rahmatullahi alayh
INTRODUCTION / BIRTH
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
DASTAR-E-FAZILAT
MARRIAGE
KHANQAH ASHRAFIYA HASANIYA
ACHIEVEMENTS
MUREEDS & KHALIFAS
WAFAAT/FUNERAL
SHAYKH AL A'ZAM: SAYYAD IZHAR ASHRAF
MAWLANA AHMAD ASHRAF | MUHADDITH AL A'ZAM AL-HIND | SHAYKH AL ISLAM
'Shaykh al-Mashaykh' Hadrat Allama Pir Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf
'Sarkar-e-Kalan' al-Ashrafi al-Jilani al-Kicchochawi
Rahmatullahi alayh
INTRODUCTION / BIRTH
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
DASTAR-E-FAZILAT
MARRIAGE
KHANQAH ASHRAFIYA HASANIYA
ACHIEVEMENTS
MUREEDS & KHALIFAS
WAFAAT/FUNERAL
SHAYKH AL A'ZAM: SAYYAD IZHAR ASHRAF
MAWLANA AHMAD ASHRAF | MUHADDITH AL A'ZAM AL-HIND | SHAYKH AL ISLAM
Birth
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmahtullahi alayh is the son of 'Alim-e-Rabbani' Sayyad Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmahtullahi alayh who is the son of
A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'allahu anhu). He is also
the brother-in-law of Hadrat Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind Rahmahtullahi
alayh and maternal uncle as well as murshid of Hadrat Shaykh al-Islam
w'al Muslimeen. He was born on the 4th of Shawwal in Hijri 1334 in
Kicchocha Shareef.
Childhood
Sayyad Mukhar Ashraf (Sarkar-e-Kalan) Rahmahtullahi
alayh was brought up by his God fearing mother Rabiya Basria (Allah be pleased with her) and his
illustrious & noble father Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh. As
his father and grandfather A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu
Anhu were at the height of their spirituality they took extra special
care of him.
Education
Whilst Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh
gained his primary education at Kicchocha Shareef his noble father Mawlana
Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh passed away when he was only thirteen years
old. This was a terrible blow to all the family in particular to the
followers of Silsila-e-Ashrafiya. The sole-primary responsiblity of his
education and welfare fell on his ageing grandfather A'laHadrat 'Ashrafi
Miya' Radi 'allahu anhu who was also grief stricken.
'Sadr al-Afazil' Allama Sayyad Naim al-Din Muradabadi Rahmatullahi alayh specifically taught Bukhari Shareef to Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh at Jamia Ashrafiya.
In spite of
this tragic situation A'laHadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'allahu anhu pursued
his education with the best and most capable Ulema of their time at Jamia
Ashrafiya (Mubarakpur) which covered all of his grandsons education.
Amongst the renowned teachers were Faqeeh-e-A'zam Hadrat Imam-uddin
Sambhali, Hadrat Bahr al-Ulum Abdur Rashid Nagpuri (Allah be pleased with them) and Hadrat Hakim
al-Ummat Mufti Muhammad Yaar Khan Ashrafi Rahmatullahi alayh of Pakistan.
Books ranging from theology through to Dars-e-Nizamia were being
studied.
'Sadr al-Afazil' Allama Sayyad Naim al-Din Muradabadi Rahmatullahi alayh specifically taught Bukhari Shareef to Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh at Jamia Ashrafiya.
Dastar-e-Fazilat
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh completed
his education at Jamia Ashrafiya under the tutelage of its founder; his pious
grandfather A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu. After teaching
Bukhari Shareef to him Hadrat Sadr al-Afazil Sayyad Naeemuddin
Muradabadi Rahmatullahi alayh requested to 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu
Anhu to award him his turban of honour. A ceremony was conducted at
Khanqah-e-Hasaniya Ashrafiya with many dignitaries present where
A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi Allahu Anhu completed the
Dastar-e-Fazilat and prayed for his future success. There was a poignant moment
as everyone remembered Alim-e-Rabbani Hadrat Sayyad Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh; Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan's Rahmatullahi alayh noble
father.
Marriage
A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Rahmatullahi alayh arranged the marriage of his
grandson with the daughter of Pir Sayyad Mustafa Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh.
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh has three sons from his first wife
Mawlana Sayyad Izhar Ashraf [the current Janashin of Hadrat Sarkar al Kalan Khanqah Hasaniya Ashrafiya], Sayyad Muhammad Ahmad Ashraf, Sayyad Ali Ashraf and
from his second wife he has two sons Sayyad Muhammad Anwar Ashraf, Sayyad Muhammad Hasan Ashraf as well as three daughters.
Khanqah Ashrafiya Hasaniya
As is the succession from father to son; A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu anhu had nominated Mawlana Ahmad Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh to be his Kalifa [successor] after him, but after his passing away the sacred seat became vacant. So Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh became 'Wali Ahad Janasheen' on the occasion of his fathers 'fateha' Cheloom [fortieth] anniversary. Because of his tender age at the time, Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh sought the advice of Hadrat Sadr al-Afazil Mawlana Naeemuddin Murdadbadi Rahmatullahi alayh and his ageing mother.
On the occasion of his first Urs of Hadrat Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Radi Allahu Anhu he invited a lot Ulama and Mashaykh who all responded and attended upon his first invitation as Sajjada Nasheen. Amongst those present* on this auspicious occasion were :
Hajjat al-Islam Mawlana Hamid Raza Khan
Bareilly Shareef
Mufti al-A'zam-e-Hind Allama Mustufa Raza Khan Bareilly Shareef
Sadar-us-Shariya Mawlana Amjad Ali
Sadr al-Afazil Mawlana Naeemuddim Muradabadi
Sadar al-Ulema Mawlana Ghulam Jilani Merathi
Shams al-Ulema Hadrat Shamsuddin Jaunpuri
Mujahid al-Millat Mawlana Habib-ur Rehman
Mawlana Muhammad Suleyman
Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi
Mawlana Refaqat Hussain Kanpuri
Mawlana Abdur Rashid Ashrafi Nagpuri
*Ridwanallah ta'ala alayhi m'ajmain
Mufti al-A'zam-e-Hind Allama Mustufa Raza Khan Bareilly Shareef
Sadar-us-Shariya Mawlana Amjad Ali
Sadr al-Afazil Mawlana Naeemuddim Muradabadi
Sadar al-Ulema Mawlana Ghulam Jilani Merathi
Shams al-Ulema Hadrat Shamsuddin Jaunpuri
Mujahid al-Millat Mawlana Habib-ur Rehman
Mawlana Muhammad Suleyman
Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi
Mawlana Refaqat Hussain Kanpuri
Mawlana Abdur Rashid Ashrafi Nagpuri
*Ridwanallah ta'ala alayhi m'ajmain
The Urs of Sultan Sayyad Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani Radi 'Allahu ta'ala anhu continued to grow in terms of the number of pilgrims and Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh provided free food (langar) to the many disciples [murids] and visiting pilgrims.
Achievements
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh achieved
great strides in his travels preaching Islam through the right paths of Shariat
and Tariqat. His incredible strength was capturing the hearts and minds of those
that met him, through his speeches or through his literature. This was specially
important as A'la Hadrat 'Ashrafi Miya' Radi 'Allahu Anhu departed this
temporary world in 1355 AH when he was only 22 years old. Undeterred he
continued his mission preaching despite this setback and gathered many disciples
throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Holland and
England as well as parts of Arabia building many madrassa's [Islamic Education Centre's] on the
way.
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh was undoubtedly a great spiritual personality having many Ulama and Mashaykh in his chain of disciples including the most prominent of Khanwad-e-Ashrafiya; His Eminence Shaykh al-Islam w'al Muslimeen Raees al-Muhaqiqeen Hadrat Allama Mufti Pir Sayyad Shah Muhammad Madani Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani; Founder & Patron of Muhaddith-e-A'zam Worldwide Mission and Janasheen-e-Huzoor Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind Rahmatullahi alayh. Other esteemed and prominent mureeds were Hadrat Ghazi-e-Millat Allama Mawlana Pir Sayyad Shah Muhammad Hashmi Miya (Shehzade-Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind), Hadrat Pir-e-Tariqat Sayyad Muhammad Arabi Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani. Other learned personalities included Mawlana Mufti Habibullah, Mawlana Mufti Ghulam Mujtaba, Mawlana Mufti Abdul Jabil, Mawlana Mufti Zaynal Abideen and Mawlana Shahid Raza Naeemi from London.
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh used to deliver and write many fatwas [religious edicts]. People from all over the sub-continent used to ask him frequently and he satisfied each and everyone with his pen. Even great Muftis of that time were among those who took guidance from Hadrat in sensitive areas.
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh was undoubtedly a great spiritual personality having many Ulama and Mashaykh in his chain of disciples including the most prominent of Khanwad-e-Ashrafiya; His Eminence Shaykh al-Islam w'al Muslimeen Raees al-Muhaqiqeen Hadrat Allama Mufti Pir Sayyad Shah Muhammad Madani Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani; Founder & Patron of Muhaddith-e-A'zam Worldwide Mission and Janasheen-e-Huzoor Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind Rahmatullahi alayh. Other esteemed and prominent mureeds were Hadrat Ghazi-e-Millat Allama Mawlana Pir Sayyad Shah Muhammad Hashmi Miya (Shehzade-Muhaddith al-A'zam al-Hind), Hadrat Pir-e-Tariqat Sayyad Muhammad Arabi Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani. Other learned personalities included Mawlana Mufti Habibullah, Mawlana Mufti Ghulam Mujtaba, Mawlana Mufti Abdul Jabil, Mawlana Mufti Zaynal Abideen and Mawlana Shahid Raza Naeemi from London.
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh used to deliver and write many fatwas [religious edicts]. People from all over the sub-continent used to ask him frequently and he satisfied each and everyone with his pen. Even great Muftis of that time were among those who took guidance from Hadrat in sensitive areas.
Khalifa
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh awarded Khilafat to many important and esteemed Ulema and Mashaykh of the sub-continent. Amongst the most prominent and well known are stated here :
'Raees al Muhaqiqeen' Hadrat Shaykh al-Islam w'al Muslimeen
Hadrat Ghazi al-Millat Pir Sayyad Muhammad Hashmi Miya
Shaykh al-A'zam Mawlana Pir Sayyad Shah Izhar Ashraf Sajjada Nasheen
Anwar al-Mashaykh Pir Sayyad Muhammad Anwar Ashraf
Mawlana Pir Sayyad Muhammad Ahmad Ashraf
Hadrat Mawlana Pir Sayyad Tanvir Ashraf
Mawlana Sayyad Kumail Ashraf
Mawlana Sayyad Mehmood Ashraf
Hadrat Sayyad Arabi Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani
Allama Sufi Sayyad Akmal Hussain Ashrafi al-Jilani
Pir al-Tariqat Dr Sayyad Mazahir Ashraf (Karachi)
Mawlana Muhammad Ghulam Mujtaba Ashrafi [Manazir al-Islam, Bareilly]
Mawlana Mufti Abdul Jalil Na'imi Ashrafi
Hadrat Mawlana Mufti Habibullah Na'imi [Jamia Al-Ashrafiya]
Mawlana Muhammad Suleyman Bhagalpuri
Mawlana Shahid Raza Naeemi (Leicester, UK)
Mufti Gul Rehman (Birmingham, UK)
Mawlana Muhammad Ibrahim Mumbai(U.P)
Mawlana Abdul Qadir (Mumbai)
Mawlana Muhammad Iqbal (Dubai)
Mawlana Rafiq Alam (U.P)
Mawlana Muhammad Aziz ur-Rahman (Burhanpur)
Mawlana Muhammad Tabibuddin Ashrafi (U.P)
Mawlana Faiz ur-Rahman Shaykh al-Hadith (Machipur)
Mawlana Mumtaz Ahmad Ashrafi (Machipur)
Mufti Zain al-Din Ashrafi (U.P)
Hadrat Ghazi al-Millat Pir Sayyad Muhammad Hashmi Miya
Shaykh al-A'zam Mawlana Pir Sayyad Shah Izhar Ashraf Sajjada Nasheen
Anwar al-Mashaykh Pir Sayyad Muhammad Anwar Ashraf
Mawlana Pir Sayyad Muhammad Ahmad Ashraf
Hadrat Mawlana Pir Sayyad Tanvir Ashraf
Mawlana Sayyad Kumail Ashraf
Mawlana Sayyad Mehmood Ashraf
Hadrat Sayyad Arabi Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani
Allama Sufi Sayyad Akmal Hussain Ashrafi al-Jilani
Pir al-Tariqat Dr Sayyad Mazahir Ashraf (Karachi)
Mawlana Muhammad Ghulam Mujtaba Ashrafi [Manazir al-Islam, Bareilly]
Mawlana Mufti Abdul Jalil Na'imi Ashrafi
Hadrat Mawlana Mufti Habibullah Na'imi [Jamia Al-Ashrafiya]
Mawlana Muhammad Suleyman Bhagalpuri
Mawlana Shahid Raza Naeemi (Leicester, UK)
Mufti Gul Rehman (Birmingham, UK)
Mawlana Muhammad Ibrahim Mumbai(U.P)
Mawlana Abdul Qadir (Mumbai)
Mawlana Muhammad Iqbal (Dubai)
Mawlana Rafiq Alam (U.P)
Mawlana Muhammad Aziz ur-Rahman (Burhanpur)
Mawlana Muhammad Tabibuddin Ashrafi (U.P)
Mawlana Faiz ur-Rahman Shaykh al-Hadith (Machipur)
Mawlana Mumtaz Ahmad Ashrafi (Machipur)
Mufti Zain al-Din Ashrafi (U.P)
Wafaat
There comes a time one when one knows it is time to
depart and leave mankind for the other world and in
Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh case he knew that when he was eighty
four years of age and suffering some pain in his knees and generally feeling
weak that it was time to prepare and to remember death. During his last weeks he
remained in the Khanqah; observing chillah for seven days. It was in this period
he recited the Qur'an al-kareem and supplicated to Allah Almighty besides the grave of his mother. After finally completing his ibadaah [worship] he returned
home, but soon became ill and was admitted to hospital but it was all in
vain sadly.
On the 9th of Rajab 1417 Hijri (Thursday 22nd November 1996) Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh passed away leaving behind thousands of mourners and disciples as well as close family. His Janaza (funeral prayer) was performed by his son Shaykh al-A'zam Hadrat Sayyad Izhar Ashraf. Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh shrine is in the Khanqah Ashrafiya Hasaniya in Kicchocha Shareef besides the grave of his mother.
On the 9th of Rajab 1417 Hijri (Thursday 22nd November 1996) Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh passed away leaving behind thousands of mourners and disciples as well as close family. His Janaza (funeral prayer) was performed by his son Shaykh al-A'zam Hadrat Sayyad Izhar Ashraf. Hadrat Sarkar-e-Kalan Rahmatullahi alayh shrine is in the Khanqah Ashrafiya Hasaniya in Kicchocha Shareef besides the grave of his mother.