(3) Distinguishing and Pivotal Traits of Hazrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri

By: Mufti Muhammad Noman Daji, Batley, UK
course.correspondence@gmail.com

6. Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil (الامر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر)
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz was always fearless in speaking out on issues regarding the boundaries of Deen (Hudood / حدود); regarding practices that fell foul to Bidah and contravened the Sunnah or were on the perimeters of Bidah and spoke out publicly without fear of loss of ‘respect’ or loss of any material gains.
 
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz spoke up against anything that he thought was contrary to the teachings of the Deen or overstepping the boundaries whether it was committed by Madaris management; scholars; lay people; people engaged in any form of Deeni work; etc. The motivation was always that they amend their ways so the right practices are followed and they do not distort the teachings of Deen or introduce Bidah. Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz was far sighted in many things.
 
The take and lesson from this trait for all the students of Hazrat-ul-Ustaz (RA) in particular and all scholars in general is to speak the truth (Haq) wherever it is needed and against any movement, group, organisation or anyone without fearing any reprisals. Speak up in the right manner where the boundaries of Shariah are violated and where Bidah is taking place or there is real potential of acts becoming bidah in our communities by the lay people, by scholars or anyone from the followers of our Maslak too due to ignorance.
 
To effectively engage in this duty  learn the required knowledge on the boundaries and etiquettes of الامر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر so it can be effectively carried out.
 
7. Steadfastness on the Maslak of Ulama Deoband (مسلك علماء ديوبند پر تثبّت)
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz always emphasised the need and importance to sticking with steadfastness to the Maslak of Ulama Deoband and would not accept any compromise on this. Hazrat-Ul Ustaz pointed out the safety and protection of our Deen was in that.
 
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz would point out publicly to what he was observing in the scholars and lay people who are moving away from the Maslak of Ulama Deoband. Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz could see the dangers of how that could potentially totally leave the Deen open to the following of whims and desires based on ignorance of the Deen. It will give them a ticket to follow whatever ‘Islamic scholar’ or person from any school of thought or orientation that suited their desires. This is something we are observing too and is rapidly growing. Allah protect us all! Aameen.
 
Another great title of Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz and is well deserving is that of Ameen Uloom Qasmi (امين علوم قاسمى) - the custodian of the knowledge of Hazrat Nānowtwī (RA) - the founder of Darul Uloom Deoband. This is something the high calibre scholars of the Qasmi family (خانوادہ قاسمی) like Hazrat Moulana Salim Qasmi sb (RA) used to acknowledge and mention.
 
The take and lesson from this trait for all the students of Hazrat-ul-Ustaz (RA) in particular and all those scholars and Muslims who subscribe to the Ahlus-Sunnah in the manner explained by the great scholars of Darul Uloom Deoband is to stick to the teachings of these great scholars and the guidelines they have given us in all the areas of Deen at all cost whether you understand or not (due to it being a lack in your intellectual capacity or due to your lack into the insights of the beautiful Deen. Do not let inferiority complex get the better of you due to the various niceties or worldly benefits that can be gained by subscribing to new ways or ways of other groups that are springing up or school of thoughts, etc who misconstrue the Deen or by individuals influenced by them whether they claim they are associated with the Maslak of Darul Uloom Deoband.
 
There is an alarming rate of unhealthy influence from the above dubious groups and people occurring in young scholars or scholars who lack connection to the great scholars of Darul Uloom Deoband.
 
This indicates many thing. It is based on ignorance of Deen, ignorance of the teachings of the great scholars of Darul Uloom Deoband, lack of connection to them and realising the great and vast knowledge they had coupled with the highest level of integrity and Taqwa, is based on inferiority complex and also based on following the whims and desires.
 
To remain firm on the Maslak of Ulama Deoband has safety of your Deen and the Deen of your children and the whole world. Otherwise, you will regret it but it might be just too late.
 
You can remain firm on the Maslak of Ulama Deoband and strengthen your connection with them by engaging in the following practices:
 
- Study the Maslak of Ulama Deoband and what that means.
- Study the biographies of the great scholars of Ulama Deoband like Hazrat Nānowtwī, Hazrat Gangohi, Sheikh-ul-Hind, Hazrat Moulana Yaqoob Nānowtwī, Hazrat Thanvi, Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmiri, Hazrat Madanī (Allah Ta’ala send abundant mercies on their graves and elevate their status). Aameen!
- Study the numerous and invaluable books written on Tafseer; commentaries on Hadeeth; Fiqh and Fatawa; Tazkiyah; Aqeedah and all the Islamic sciences. You will appreciate the depth more when you can compare them with books and works of other reputable scholars. These new deviants are of no comparison. Some are just that as there is no scope to justify any disrespect to any one Companion (Sahabi / صحابى) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace, blessings and salutations be upon him) - Allah be pleased with them all.
- Stay connected with the current senior scholars of the Maslak of Ulama Deoband locally and from the sub-continent. Both are very important.
- Avoid falling into this illusion and deluding yourself that you know and understand the Deen better than these host of great scholars of Darul Uloom Deoband. Each one is of such calibre that you can only dream of if you studied their life and works and saw how incredibly smart, intellectual giants; aware of the world and the current needs and understanding of human psychology and needs they possessed.
 
There is no blind following blind in this as is the case that is happening to people from our maslak due to their own ignorance who are opting to follow others from different inclinations. That is a typical case of blind following blind.
 
I pray Allah Ta’ala grant us all the taufeeq to internalise and characterise these seven great traits into our lives and that we continue to pass it over to our future generations of scholars and followers. Aameen!
 
Conclude
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz died as he lived i.e. in the study and teaching of Islamic knowledge and by serving and propagating the Deen of Islam.
 
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz is survived by his Deendar children who are Hafiz, Alim and Muftis. Masha Allah! I pray Allah Ta’ala grant them all beautiful patience and the taufeeq to continue the legacy of their great father.
 
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz also leaves behind students in their tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands.
 
Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz also leaves behind a collection of valuable books and works that the Muslim Ummah can benefit for a long time to come.
 
I would request the readers to at least recite Surat Ikhlas three times and grant the reward to Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz (RA). This is the least we can do and also to do this whenever you can.
 
Also, another great way to benefit Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz (RA) is by practicing and internalising these great seven traits and passing them over to your students.
 
Supplication
O Allah Ta’ala! Reward Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz (RA) on our behalf for all the selfless services he has provided to the Deen his entire life.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Grant the students, our Darul Uloom Deoband and the Muslim Ummah a better replacement (ni’m-al-badl).
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Accept all the tireless efforts of Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz (RA) for Your Deen over his entire lifetime. And continue his Faiz till the Day of Judgement.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Forgive the shortcomings of Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz  (RA) and have mercy on him.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Make the resting place of Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz (RA) a garden of
Paradise and shower him with your eternal and intense mercies.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Be please with Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz RA) and make all the stages of the Hereafter easy for him.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Grant the family of Hazrat-Ul-Ustaz, students, those connected with him and the entire Muslim Ummah (RA) with patience and strength at this difficult time.
 
O Allah Ta’ala! Protect Darul Uloom Deoband and the Muslim Ummah at large from all types of Fitnah.
 
آمین یارب العلمین بجاہ سیدالمرسلین علیہ الصلوۃ والتسلیم
و صلى الله على النبى الحبيب الشفيع الرؤوف الرحيم

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