By: Maulana Shahid Moyeen Qasmi

I feel it my solemn duty to offer a few sentences in tribute and homage to my loved teacher and the teacher of thousands of Islamic scholars. I mean hadhrat Mufti Sa’id sb, Palanpuri (r.h) – the former head teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband, India. Millions of Muslims are grief-stricken due to his demise. He was a multi-dimensional personality and specialist of many areas of knowledge. A single  individual, but a walking library of Islamic knowledge.  He, in himself, was a complete and comprehensive syllabus. Along with the expertise in Islamic education, he also new different languages.  He was endowed with boundless intellect and bestowed with formidable confidence and single-minded dedication to his multiple academic domains. He managed his time with extraordinary strictness. In this regard he was immune to the vicissitudes of life. He did experience sad moments, rough and tough times in several points of his life, but he stood like a rock against all adversities. Nothing could blunt his enthusiasm or dent his confidence.

His friendliness

In spite of being a great personality, he was quite affectionate and kind. His fatherly demeanor in gatherings would encourage scholars to ask him questions on any academic point, his personal life and achievements, to which he would respond in a mellow way.

He would not mind interruption or counter question. Therefore, scholars would not only gain knowledge from him but would also learn from him the art of overcoming the adversities of life. Hadhrat’s daily majlis (gathering) after Asr, at his residence in Deoband always used to be full of students, teachers and guests from across the world, though the residence was far from Darul Uloom. And this was the true of every majlis wherever he was.

On one Firiday, I and Mualana Rashid sb Qasmi Palanpuri (Goregaon, Mumbai) attended his Majlis at his house in Deoband. He was clipping his nails by himself – like the habit of many Islamic scholars to carry on small work while meeting the common people to save their precious time. Maulana Rashid sb sought his permission to clip the nails, but hahdrat mufti sb(r.h) didn’t allow. I saw him with my own eyes clipping his nails while his fingers were shaking when pressing the nail-cutter against the nails of feet. Perhaps, it was the end of 2016 and he was almost 75- year old.    

Maulana Rashid sb submitted saying, it is convenient to clip the nails directly after shower when they are soft. Hadhrat said twice, “Yes, you are right. But there is one more point. Tell that too.” It showed that, hadhrat Mufti sb(r.h) had his own reason , but even then he didn’t discourage.

When the majalis was getting over, Maualan Rashid sb extended a packet of sweet through someone else. Hadhrat accepted that and said, “Surely, none other than Maulavi Rashid brought it. He should not have done that”.    

There was another occasion of Fiqhi seminar of Jami’at-e- Ulam-e- Hind in 2016 in Chennai, India. We attended his Majlis after Isha, in the room where he was put up. As was usual with his majalis, the room was full of people. Scholars were sitting till the edge of the door.

In that majlis, significantly, hadhrat Mufti Zaid sb Mazahiri, Nadwi asked him questions about his personal attainments. Zaid sb said, “You’re the one upon whom Allah swt has showered many bounties. You have a huge amount of knowledge, many children, popularity, acceptance and wealth”. So hadhrat Mufti sb replied in vivid detail. “In the beginning, we had a little bit financial constraint. So I would dispense with tea and beetle leaves in the last week of the month to maintain the family. After the compilation of Hidayatul Qur’an (his commentary on the glorious Qur’an), blessings started in livelihood.”.

Answering the question on how to make the family content with the financial constraints due to the paltry salaries and poor facilities in madaaris, he illuminated saying: “A person should give what he has to his wife and say to her:  “This is what we have to maintain our family. Take it and run the family. When she knows the veritable condition with absolute certitude, and believes that now it is up to her how to adjust, she will be content and cooperative.”.

He further elaborated: “If we are sincere, serious and wise, Allah paves the way. Prosperity is paved with adversities. The entire family is moulded. I exhorted my wife to learn the glorious Qur’an by heart. She commenced, but latter she found it onerous to do on account of domestic chores. I said: You may have someone to assist you or may leave the chores, but you should not let this magnificent attainment evade you. And alhamdulillah , she became a hafizah and many other female children could also follow in her footsteps by her help.”

Uniqueness to lighten weighty matters

Especially in a lengthy and highly academic seminar, he would speak in his unique style. He would dispel the fatigue cased by the length and the subject matter into sheer joy by examples and anecdotes, though the discourse would remain purely academic and intellectual. There would have never been any cheap joke or rumour but the presentation itself used to make the listeners feel fresh and elevated.                         

Beyond pretension

On the occasion of the fiqhi seminar in Chennai, Mualana Husain sb Madrasi, Qasmi (a Shaikhul Hadeeth of a Madrasa in Madras), invited him to breakfast. His house was situated at a distance from the Madras Hajj House where the seminar was hosted. Despite that, hadhrat (r.h) accepted the invitation and honoured his house by his blessed arrival. His advent at the house of Maulana Husain sb, was so simple and friendly that I am unable to portray its sublime and awesome picture in my words. While having breakfast, he behaved in an informal manner as if he was in his own home. He ate, fed and taught many relevant things.  

Following the breakfast, he came in the personal library of Husain sb. Husain sb said, “Hadhrat! All the books belong to you. Please take whatever you like.". Hadhrat (r.h) replied: “I would have taken some, but nowadays I don’t study any book, I study only the glorious Qur’an and write the commentaries. I have fully read every book of my library! Whatever book I ever took, I studied that. But now, only the glorious Qur’an.”

He further said, “Some people fancy buying good books and aspire to have their own library and they do have, but they don’t study any book.”

Inspiration & Appreciation  

Hadhrat (r.h )asked Maulana Husain sb about the books he was teaching. Mualana told, I teach Bukhari Shareef. Hadhrat (r.h ) encouraged him saying: “Bukhari is a book which can be taught by anyone (like you)”. And he affirmed it with a euphoric and benevolent smile.    

Likewise, he repeatedly said to the seminar participant Muftiyan- specialists in Islamic jurisprudence, “I participate in this seminar only to meet you, the selected scholars from across the country”. This when he himself was one of the leading lights of the seminar!

His words of appreciation on the books of several scholars reflect his academic generosity and manifest the trait of inspiring the new generation. His overwhelming sentences on the books of Mufti Ishtiyaque sb, teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband, Mufti Zaid sb Mazahiri ,Nadwi teacher of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Mufti Shoaibullah Khan sb, Bangalore, are glimpses of that generous spirit.

Maulana Ejazul Haq sb Qasmi Saharanpuri informed me that he presented my humble effort of a book “Arabi Me Ma’haarat Ke Tareeqe” (written in Urdu) to hadrat Mufti sb(r.h). He reported that when he presented the book to hadhrat mufti sb in his majlis of after Asr, hadhrat himself read one paragraph from it which discusses the ways of reading any Arabic text and the techniques to learn therefrom the usage, vocabulary and phrases. Thereafter hadhrat (r.a.) said to the present students , “Read this!   What is written in this book is the main principle.”  

Such open hearted recognition from such a learned personage is something which I will always treasure.

During the same night in Madrass, when hadhrat Mufti Zaid sb and others were asking him questions, I, Mualana Rashid sb Palanpuri and other scholars were massaging his blessed heels and feet. He was not allowing us make any effort in that, just permitting a light touch. During these blessed moments, like his other pupils, I too had to report on my activities in detail. Though it was late night, he listened with all attention and stirred me to do more saying: “ This work is the need of hour. Carry on this endeavour!”. I specially mentioned one speech of mine in more detail, he listened to it fully. One of the scholars, who was present in the majlis suggested some addition to that speech, however, hadhrat Mufti sb said: “What Maulawi Shahid spoke was only advisable and relevant to the topic”.        

Source on the ancestors life stories

He was very close to his loved teachers and ancestor scholars and had intimate knowledge on their day-to-day practices, profiles and attitudes. He talked about many great scholars on that day, many of whose names I unfortunately forgot. However, one name that I recollect is that of hadhrat Mualana Umar sb Palanpuri (r.h). Hadhrat Mufti sb(r.h) spoke about him in a particular context: “ Mualana Umar sb Palanpuri(r.h) was something different. He was very sincere. He would come to meet the teachers of Darul Uloom Deoband, present gifts to them and seek their blessings.”      

Respect for all while retaining his individuality

In some issues, he differed from rest of the scholars, but he respected all and exhorted his pupils and adherents to follow the view of majority. He always represented Darul Uloom’s Darul Ifta publically and advocated its views. His speeches in Masjid-e- Umar Mominnagar, Jogeshwari, Mumbai and other places witness that. He would say, “We ourselves designated these scholars as the Muftis of our Darul Ifta, now how can we oppose their verdicts?”.      

His role in keeping Shari’ah pure & safe

He always stood opposed to innovation or addition to “Shar’iah”. In this regard, he didn’t consider anyone’s relation, popularity and status. He would occasionally speak on this during the class. He would not hesitate to pull up anyone, if he found him straying from the right direction on any issue.   

He was among the most discussed Personalities

Hadhrat Mufti sb(r.h) was among the most discussed personalities of the contemporary era. About 23 years ago, I was a student of Madrasa Arabia Baitul Uloom Saraimeer Azamgarh U.P, India. The former students of the madrasah used to come from Darul Uloom Deoband and would discuss with the teachers: “ Hadhrat Mufti Sa’id sb spoke so and so on so and so issue”. Thereupon the teacher would reply, “ Yes, Mufti sb deserves to speak so”.

Right now, I recollect the name of Mualuan Iltifat sb, Nandawa from the same area. He would come in vacations and discuss with my beloved teacher hadhrat Mufti Jamal sb (d.b).

My teacher hadhrat Maulana Abdurrasheed sb Sultanpuri, Mazahiri (d.b) would mention hadhrat Mufti sb (r.h), in the class with great respect. He would say with pride, “ I met hadhrat Mufti Sa’id Ahamad sb Palanpuri in so and so programme and discussed with him so and so issue and he replied so and so”.

As I recall now, my beloved teacher hadhrat Mufti Jamal sb Azmi (d.b) said, “If hadhrat Mufti Sa’id sb teaches anyone fully, it will be enough for him. I mean he would not have to go anywhere to learn any further!".       

Power of realizing the “munkar” (evil)

In the above mentioned journey of Chennai, he graced a Qur’an completion ceremony of a madrasah and delivered a sermon on the magnificence of memorizing the glorious Qur’an. During his sermon he asserted, “A hafiz student can excel in any subject, but sometimes a hafiz child deviates and does nothing further on account of his self-delusion that he has become supreme and he will reign supreme and some people also misguide him by their unnecessary praise”.

While departing from the Madrasah, he saw some small children wearing “Lungi”.  On the spot, he strictly asked the rector not to allow Lungi for any child. He especially stressed on bed time exhorting, “All should sleep in ‘Pa’ijam’ only”.

His Humbleness

 Hadhrat Mufti sb (r.h) was very humble. His high rank in knowledge and post of the head teacher and Shaikhul Hadeeth of the world famous seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband,  did not impede him in getting his high share from morality and humbleness. Once I was sitting in his majlis after Asr, in Deoband. Mufti Ishitiyaque sb the teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband came.   Hadhrat Mufti sb (r.h) said to him, “Come on! Come on!”. He sat pretty close to him. Hadhrat Mufti sb (r.h) asked him, “Where were you yesterday?”. Maulana replied, “I was in a programme”.  Hadhrat further asked, “On which topic did you address?”. I forgot his answer.

In the same majlis hadhrat(r.h) was informed that hadhrat Maulana Noor Alam Khalil Al-Amini sb (d.b)  -senior professor of Arabic literature at Darul Uloom Deoband and the Editor of its Arabic Magazine “Al-Da’i”- is grief-stricken as his father -in- law had passed away. Hadhrat Mualana  Noor Alam (d.b) himself was recently discharged from hospital and his wife was fasting that day. Hadhrat (r.h)  just waited for Maghrib. Having performed Maghrib he directly walked to visit hadhrat Mualana Noor Alam sb(d.b) to offer his condolences, although their residences were far from each other. Hadhrat Mufti sb climbed the long flight stairs to reach the house of hadhrat Mualana Amini sb to console him.  

 The memories and experiences associated with Hadhrat Mufti Sa’id sb Palanpuri (r.a.) will be cherished forever. I pay my heartfelt condolences to his entire family and to all those who are in mourning.  May Allah swt shower His bounties on hadhrat Mufti sb, grant humanity his better substitute and inspire us to follow his footsteps.

--
Shahid Moyeen Qasmi

Dr. Md. Ibrahim Qasmi*

Driven by his apathy towards religious realities and its teachings and intoxicated  with delusions of false power, grandeur and so- called 'scientific advances', the modern man is heading towards his total doom. According to the Qur'anic description, the near- total majority of mankind now " stands on the brink of Fire". His excessive love for,  and fascination with,  a purely materialistic fashion of living, has  turned man grossly indifferent to his great Creator, the Sustainer and the Only Lord, Who, under His wise scheme of Creation, created mankind as the only creature held morally responsible for all of its actions.  Beyond the narrower realms of the present life he is  hardly prepared to think of a life after--death where he inescapably shall have to be called to account for all of his deeds he happens to commit  during his worldly sojourn , and every man' s 'book of deeds' shall be examined by his Creator Himself. Worse still, the Muslim community,  too -- negligent of its specific position of being the  Only Divine  Witness unto the entire  Mankid of  Allah' s Chosen Religion, Islam, and of its abiding responsibility of  inviting the humanity at large to the messsge of the  Qur'an, the Final Divine Word and Warning  to mankind  through employing all peaceful means ---  has unfortunately lost its moal  'immunity'  against the epidemic of stark, Godless materialism spread the worldover. An all- pervasive apathetic attitude towards their Islamic  and specific ideological commitments has long been  tightening its grip over Muslims with a much faster pace. Undeniably,there are many individual as well as somewhat collective efforts  that aim at preaching the message of Islam to non-Muslim world ,and restructuring  the worldwide Muslim society along the lines of the Islamic teachings. While all such constructive efforts deserve due appreciation and acknowledgement on our part , needs persist as ever before to do more on this incomparably important  front with special thrust on the Qur'anic approach to  Da' wah illa - Allah. As things stand today, we have to redouble our efforts of inviting the people to Islam and disseminate the purely  monotheistic Qur'nic teachings on a much wider scale so as to salvage the humanity from its total destruction which inescapably  being  the fate of every human being dying without faith in Islam and Qur' an. Also, this way we  can avert the displeasure of Allah, earn His pleasure  and deliver  our community from His wrath.

Qur'an : the only Source of Divine Guidance

It is an undeniable fact that the source of all evils existing in the Muslim community worldwide  is its growing indifference to the Holy Book of Allah ; and the  worldwide spectacular plight of this community is indubitably  the outcome of its unjustifiable  negligence  towards preaching the message of Qur' an to the world at large.
 
It is the Qur'an alone which offers an elaborate  guidance to the real success, and it is again  the Qur'an  which is still fully capable of doing  miracles as it did in the past.It continues to be full of vigor and vitality as ever before.By preaching the Qur'anic message of truth with wisdom and prudence and calling the world to  have faith in the Unseen Realities and the eternal verities as it has propounded, we may expect much better results both here and in the Akhirah.

Wherefrom to start working?

To the best of our thinking, as it has also been put above, the Qur'an holds the pivotal import in our life.First of all,we have to renew our commitment towards Islam  by reaffirming  our faith in it..For this purpose the Muslim masses are required to reignite their hearts with an overwhelmingly pure love of the Qur'an and refreshing our commitments towards the Qur'an.In order to acieve  this end we have to be re-educated and reintroduced with the unalloyed message of the Qur'an and its core teachings. For this purpose we  need to go through the Holy Book of Allah and undertake the study of its contents with a wakeful mind.This being the reason  why we have embarked upon preparing some  powerful Dawah- centric literature in English and Urdu languages so as to widely circulate it among Muslims and non- Muslims alike.

Outlines of the Works in Progress

There exists a vast exegetical literature on the Qur'an in continental and globally- spoken languages,like Arabic,Urdu, English, etc.Notwithstanding the fact that each tafseeri work, in  its own right, carries its specific value and  therefore merits due appreciation as such,  it could hardly be denied that only  fewer of them tend to suit purpose of  Dawah and inviting the people to Islam. With the Dawah consideration in mind,it was a long overdue task to  single out at least one outstanding tafseeri work in order to  prepare its  abridged version and circulate it on a wider scale at least in the Urdu and English languages.
 
Talkhees-e-Tadabbur-e- Qur'an (Urdu)

Keeping in view its outstanding features  and comparatively greater value in  imparting a proper understanding of, and insights into,  the Qur'an, the associated studies and the purpose of Dawah, we have carefully marked out Tadabbur-e-Qur'an,a multi-volume and a highly authoritative Qur'anic exegetical  work in the Urdu language  by the  late Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi of Pakistan,  for the purpose of abridgement. A carefully abridged version of this comprehensive exegetical work is expected to serve the purpose of Dawah illa- Allah,   facilitate a proper understanding of the Holy Qur'an and open a window into gripping its message in an enhanced way.

English Translation of the Abridged Version

With a view to further the cause of preaching the Qur'anic message to the educated Muslims and reaching out to the English speaking world with the message of Truth on a still wider scale,the English translation of Tadabbur-e-Qur'an's abridged version deems necessary, hopefully a useful tool for the purpose of Dawah and inviting the non- Muslim world to Islam and its teachings.The work on the English translation,therefore,has been initiated and is concurrently going on with diligence.

A Compendious Qur'anic Encyclopedia

In order to facilitate a deeper and more systematic understanding of the Holy Qur'an for those wishing to have a direct access to the  contents of the Holy Scripture of Islamic faith, the need to prepare such an encylopaedic work has long been felt.Most of the existing works of this kind are not very much useful for either their insufficiency to quench the thirst of the seekers ,or due to their unauthentic contents serving no substantial. This work is expected to give special care to those Qur'anic terms as denote the primary concepts of  Islamic faith and practices and clear the misapprehensions built around due to a number of reasons.

Revisiting the Basic Commands and Directives of Islamic Shari'a Pertaining to the Societal Structure

Due to a blind traditionalism that unfortunately gained foothold into  Muslims for reasons lying deep in the history of intellectual development of the Muslim Ummah in the course of the last few centuries, a sizable number of the commands of the Islamic Shari'a pertaining to the societal and the familial structure in Islam has of late become a target of scathing criticism on the part of the non-Muslim world.The proposition of triple divorce, for instance,  has particularly been an issue of an unfavorable heated public debate, particularly in India and the subcontinent.The reckless practice of the single-time triple divorce in Muslim society and the insistence of the Ulama, particularly in the subcontinent on the fuller legal effects of it despite branding such a parctice impermissible and an  innovation has long been proving a great  hurdle in furthering the cause of Dawah, especially with reference to women. The stagnation of the Muslim intellectual stream and unjustifiable rigidity exhibited by Muslim Ulama in recent years  has worsened the situation beyond repair.
 
We are fortunate enough that on the academic front we are almost  self- reliant to get these books prepared.The work on the  two first works is in full swim.

The Question of Finance

Like all other Dawah programs,this purely Dawah- oriented great academic program, too, will naturally need material means to go ahead.

In order to carry out this great and exhaustive Dawah-oriented academic program no large sums of money are needed.As estimated, it is a matter of a sum ranging from $ 125000 to 150000. People bestowed by Allah Taala with material means and  solicitude to Islam and aspire for its ideological supremacy are asked to come forward with generous contributions. We have dedicated ourselves to build the  academic front of this Dawah program, you are requested to lend generous material  support to let the work progress and bring the expected results. Will one heed this appeal?
 
Appellant
 
*Md. Ibrahim
MA PhD
Vill. Naglasahu, Meerut , UP , India, 250406
 
For further queries , contact may be made via the following numbers and e-mail
8881190866/7668764985
faridibrahim479@gmail.com

Prepared by: Mufti Ismail Y Syed*

During Covid19 and mostly likely after that, using traditional library and their sources for Islamic sources for both primary and secondary, may not be the mainstream anymore as it once was. Virtual facility and remote based online searching and researching would become essential. 

While it is tempting to go straight to generic search eg Google search for any Islamic terms, Islamic & Arabic studies students are strongly advised to refrain from using Google search (other than Google Scholar), as past experience has shown students are often thrown into irrelevant or second third grade sites including social media and blogging sites –– with materials often copied over/plagiarised from elsewhere as well as ridden with errors –– therefore students must only used the traditional online library sites that can link up with all traceable or verifiable online versions of the original books/sources eg pdfs/scanned hardcopies/ebooks, electronic sources or may use one of the suggested sites I have compiled below. Students MUST NOT use generic search engine like Google, MSN, Yahoo under any circumstances, not at least until they reach advance/graduate level/reaching level 6/final year of honours degree/final year Alimiyya studies. Period. 

Advisory note:
There are many sites and links to research websites and applications for primary Islamic sources incl utilising metadata. It can take time to getting used to, and no site is perfect; some has features which others don’t. It’s a matter of trial and error. By using the sites/applications below, one would get the gist of it and over a period of time would intuitively build up additional sense of where to locate the sources or which site or application to look up for relevant Islamic Arabic sources and information. Also usages of various sites depends on one’s taste, approach and user friendliness which varies from person to person.

As for secondary/English/orientalist sources, please continue using the normal library and research facilities which is used for any arts and humanities subjects incl Google Scholar, Discover in addition to your university / college library resources available remotely. 

Suggested sites and applications for primacy Islamic Arabic sources

One of the most popular (and probably most comprehensive) search facility - Al Shamela: 
https://shamela.ws
NB A word of warning, site or destination could be prone to errors hence verification with scanned online PDFs and hardcopy is always advisable.

This is a fantastic addition to the online resources I came across recently than the older website
https://al-maktaba.org/search

A cloned version for Al-Shamela which may be more user friendly:
http://islamport.com
To download books one may use:
http://islamport.com/index2.html

Another great one (Application only but may have browser search facility):
Elkirtasse (may not be available on Apple):
http://elkirtasse.sourceforge.net/index.php/home/apps-about/49-elkirtasse-info
or:
http://elkirtasse.sourceforge.net

Islamic Encyclopaedia portal - Gawami’ al-Kalim (Application):
https://islamhouse.com/en/apps/393431/

Traditional online search - virtual library manual search:

Waqfeya
For traditional manual search virtually using online PDFs library, Waqfeya is traditional one popular among Arab and South Asian scholars who prefer to use the tradition method to search as if they are in the library going through hard copy: 
http://www.waqfeya.com
NB No search facility is available hence one needs to be well informed / have good idea to look up. 

The Internet Archive, a digital library of internet sites as well as scanned paper books and hardcopies. Great place –– though manual searching and basic subject knowledge is required to locate the sources. OCR/word search facilities not always available, especially with Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Ottoman Turkish sources. 
https://archive.org/index.php

For Islamic history/tarikh, art and culture, Farabi digital library –– great place to digital online sources –– I liked it. You would have to register first for free access:
https://e-library.ircica.org/

For Hadiths:
This has a few more features like checking up rawis and what Tahqiq there is, but not as broad as the above ones
https://dorar.net/hadith

This is nice one:
https://sunnah.one/

Another site, recent site that worked on the major (not all) hadith collections, has search facility:
مشروع السنة: الشبكة العالمية لدراسة الحديث «إحسان»:
http://www.ihsanetwork.org/

This is an Urdu based one which searches through PDF
http://www.elmedeen.com/

Another one (helpful for tafsir and hadith):
http://quran.com/

One of the most comprehensive Quran/Tafsir search facility, Al-Tafsir:
https://www.altafsir.com/

Another site for Quran Tafsir (user friendly, I liked it):
https://tafsir.app/

Another decent one, worth trying:
http://almeshkat.net/

KSU Saudi Arabia Quran Tafsir project (not the best one and sources should be verified/compared with scanned hardcopies/PDFs):
https://quran.ksu.edu.sa/

https://k-tb.com/

Excellent resource to look up/search Islamic sources incl to locate digitised versions incl manuscripts:
http://hazine.info/online-archives-digitized-collections-and-resources/
and for manuscripts:
http://hazine.info/open-access-digitized-islamic-manuscripts-2/

Hath Trust digital library –– an excellent repository of over 50 digital library collections from various locations  
https://www.hathitrust.org/

Another great one for simple or selective sources (I liked it):
NYU online Arabic search:
http://dlib.nyu.edu/aco/

Another site for Islamic sources search incl hadith and tafsir:
https://www.noor-book.com/

Qatar National Library with widely available digitised sources:
https://www.qdl.qa/en/search/site/?f
or
https://www.qdl.qa/en

For Indian subcontinent darse nizami and Deobandi kitabs:
https://islamicbookscity.com/
and 
https://besturdubooks.net/

Scanned digitised Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Ottoman Turkish books - project by Indian government, they scanned thousands of books from different libraries. So rare stuff from Ml Azad library in Kashmir, and Jamia Millia library etc is available. If you narrow search results to Urdu/Arabic/Farsi there are thousands of gems here:
https://archive.org/details/digitallibraryindia

Mostafa books online search:
https://www.al-mostafa.com/


Very interesting info: Al-Kitab project by AGU, has information on further available/efficient sites to search using metadata:
https://kitab-corpus-metadata.azurewebsites.net/
To read up more, look at
http://kitab-project.org/
or
https://iti-corpus.github.io/

Online Catalogues (some with access to direct online material)
Fihrist (UK universities consortium for Arabic Islamic sources –– Catalogue only):
https://www.fihrist.org.uk/

World Catalogue where books and sources can be search to locate across various libraries around the world, often some having links to online versions:
https://www.worldcat.org

For Islamic and Arabic manuscripts

Online portal for digitised manuscripts:
https://guides.lib.umich.edu/islamicmsstudies/onlinecollections

Islamic Manuscripts:
https://www.islamicmanuscript.org/extresources/manuscriptcatalogues.aspx

Manuscripts of the Muslim World, OPENN - open repository by University of Pennsylvania, USA. Fantastic for those who want to dig in and check the manuscripts:
http://openn.library.upenn.edu/html/muslimworld_contents.html
For details, read:
https://hyperallergic.com/556697/manuscripts-of-the-muslim-world/

Digital Assets Repository (DAR) project of Bibliotheca Alexandrina or Alexandria library. Great access to thousands of digitised sources with advance search facilities. Most copyright free materials are available online with others giving limited access:
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/dar.jsf
NB Usually used/alongside other search sites, comes handy when other sites fail. 

An old information (2013, needs updating) on online collection but worth looking into:
Another materials available here Digital Collection in Early Printed Materials (Arabic), presented in Moscow conference, document can be accessed here:
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/dar.jsf

Graeco-Arabic (Arabic-Greek) sources (classical Arabic and Greek sources)
A portal/corpus on Arabic and hundreds of Greek sources that has been translated into Arabic between 8th-10th centuries. 
https://www.graeco-arabic-studies.org/home.html

Persian/Farsi primary sources
Asnad, an online project by Philipps Universitaat Marburg Germany for Persian sources and Central Asian / Indian subcontinent sources (useful when doing research or trying to access original old prints/manuscripts, particularly for Hanafi Fiqh, fatawa/Aqida/ilm kalam and philosophy Islamic metaphysic students):
http://www.asnad.org/en/

Another good site (not the best) for Urdu sauces:
http://www.al-mawrid.org/

Apps:
تطبيق جامع الكتب التسعة - ادق واشمل تطبيق اسلامي خاص بعلم الحديث النبوي يشتمل على الكتب التسعة المشهورة لدى علماء السنة النبوية:
https://islamhouse.com/ar/apps/2828278/


End note for teachers/lecturers/graduate teaching assistants

A note from a colleague Sh Haroon Rashid Anis:
I compare, Then usually prepare a word document and teach off that
First thing I do before I start looking for sharh is read/compare the chapter from at least 3 good nuskhahs
And note all differences. 
I feel just reading the text without any sharh at all gives an 'organic' opinion of the author's work, then I can refer to the commentaries to see what they have said.

_______
Credit and acknowledgements: 
I would like to thank everyone who provided various tips and suggestions in preparing the resource list, including but not exclusive to, 
Imam Muhiuddin of Enfield, London
Shaykh Haroon Rashid Anis
Br Abdullah Biqai 
Some colleagues at Arabic and South Asian studies departments at various institutions who gave some tips and suggestions and prefer to remain anonymous. 
I haven’t taken all suggestions / and or inputed my own preferences where it was deemed to be more appropriate or suitable for Arabic and Alimiyya students for their study and research. I have also committed painting and art websites (that may contain art or image from historical times of primary sources which was more of an art type as opposed to substance study). 

Lastly I would welcome any suggestions or updates/corrections. Please tweet/tweet message me or alternatively email at:
mufti.ismail.syed@gmail.com
Twitter: @IsmailYSyed

By: Maulana Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi,
Zambia, Africa
Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in

In the blessed month of Ramadhan, a renowned exemplary teacher of Hadeeth and towering scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri (May Allah have mercy on him and grant him Jannah!) passed away. From the time we started learning from him, we realised and understood his great personality and the value and significance of his teaching. As the scholars from the world expressed their pain and grief over his sad demise, it added more importance and worth to our hearts than ever before. He spent his noble and beautiful life in studying, teaching, lecturing, addressing the gathering of masses and authoring and compiling precious books on several topics of Islamic sciences. He rendered his services within the country and abroad like European and African countries, the USA and Canada etc. Keeping his works in mind, it can be admitted that such personalities are born after a long time.

The Teaching Services:

There are numerous prominent aspects of Mufti Sahib’s services to be covered. He was an able teacher, favourite lecturer, orator, acclaimed author, famous publisher and a businessman too. I am blessed and honoured to say that the Almighty Allah gave me a golden chance to learn two books of Hadeeth: SunanTirmidhi and SharhuMaa’ni Al-Aathar from him. So, for me, he was a great, respected and exemplary teacher and mentor. In this piece of writing, therefore, I would like to highlight his teaching services and characteristics of teaching briefly, In Shaa Allah. He was an ideal teacher with his unique style and typical teaching methodology. One and all appreciated and acknowledged his this quality. The student always desired to emulate him in his teaching methodology, if they were to get a chance for teaching in order to get their students satisfied with their lessons.

Mufti Sahib (Rahimahullah) began his teaching while he was a learner. When he was a student of Iftaa Course at DarulUloom Deoband, in 1382 AH, he started teaching “Hifz Al-Quran Al-Kareem” to his younger brother, Mufti Muhammad Ameen Palanpuri (Hafizahullah). Mufti Ameen Sahib writes: “He (Mufti Saeed Ahmad) took me to Deoband in 1382 AH along with him. He got this humble person (Mufti Ameen) enrolled in the Hifz class of Qari Kamil Sahib Doebandi. I could not benefit from Qari Sahib. Then he took the full responsibility of teaching me Hifz of the Holy Quran. He made me Haafiz within one and a half year.” (Al-Khair Al-Kathir, P: 48)

Teaching Service in Darul Uloom Ashrafiyah, Rander:

Following the completion of Iftaa Course, Mufti Sahib remained as an Assistant Mufti for some period of time at Darul Uloom Deoband. Later, at the recommendation of Allamah Muhammad Ibrahim Baliavi (RA), he was appointed as a teacher in Darul Uloom Ashrafiyah, Rander, Surat, Gujarat in 1384 AH. Over the time of almost nine years, he served in Ashrafiyah as a teacher from Dul-Qa’adah 1384 AH till Shaban 1393 AH. During this period, he taught several books of higher level like: Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi-Dawood, Tahawi, Muwattein, Sunan Nasa’aee, Sunan Ibn-Majah, Mishkat, Jalalein, Al-Fauz Al-Kabeer, Translation of the Qura’an, Hidayah, Sharh Aqaaid, Husaami etc. (Al-Khair Al-Kathir, P.: 50)

Appointment at DarulUloom Deoband:

Very few people are blessed with such instructive and teaching capability as that of Mufti Sahib. Not only his students, but also his teachers bear witness to   this fact. In 1393 AH, when there was a vacancy for teacher in Darul Uloom Deoband, his teacher Sheikh Hashim Bukhari (Rahimahullah), then the teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband, asked him to apply for the said post and he did so. In the month of Shaban of the same year, his application was accepted in the meeting of the governing body of Darul Uloom Deoband and he was informed about his appointment at Darul Uloom Deoband. Then in Shawwal in 1393 AH, he joined Darul Uloom Deoband as a respected teacher. Since then the journey started in 1393 AH in Darul Uloom Deoband, continued till he breathed his last on 19 May 2020.

He served in Darul Uloom Deoband nearly 48 years. The management also appreciated and acknowledged his teaching ability and expertise of the books assigned to him and the academic council continued promoting him. The books that he taught are Sullamul Uloom, Mullah Hasan, Hadyah Saeediyyah, Mebzi, Hidayah, Husami, Musallam Al-Thubut, Al-Fauz Al-Kabeer, Talkhis Al-Itqaan, Sharh Aqaaid, Siraji, Rashidiyah, Musaamrah, Hujjatullahi Al-Balighah, Diwan Al-Mutanabbi, Diwaan Al-Hamasah, Saba’ah Muallaqah, Jalalein, Tafseer Baidhavi, Tafseer Mazhari, Tafseer Madaarik, Nukhbah Al-Fikr, Muqaddamah Ibn Salaah, Mishkaat, Tahawi, Muwatta Imam Malik, Muwatta Imam Muhammad, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Nasa’aee, Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi-Dawood, Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari. Presently he held the posts of Sheikhul Hadeeth and Head-Teacher.

Some Characteristics of Mufti Sahib in Teaching:

Mufti Sahib was a distinguished figure due to his matchless teaching methodology. There were many characteristics and distinctive features in his teaching which are not altogether found generally in a teacher. Here, I am going to mention few of them as I came across while learning from him:
He was very much punctual of attendance. He used to come to the class on time. His lesson planning was so well that he would teach it within the period and leave the class as the bell rang.
He used to avoid going on a long journey during academic year so that it would not disturb the syllabus to complete during the assigned time.

His lecture carried on at the same pace, be it in the beginning of the year or at its end until he completed the syllabus.

The students were bound to follow his rules and regulations set in the class. The students were not allowed to enter the class, after he has had arrived in the classroom.

Apart from the lesson, he used to spend few minutes every day to make the students memorise some Ahaadith and Asmaaul Husna. He used to advise the students to do the same with their students so that it will become a continuous charity.

In the beginning of the year, he used to deliver some introductory lectures on the science of Hadeeth. During these lectures, he used to cover the topics like: Hadeeth, Tadween Hadeeth, Wahi, Kinds of Wahi, Hujjiatul Hadeeth, Ijmaa, Qayaas, Taqleed etc. These lectures were keys to the treasure of knowledge. Now, it is preserved and recorded in the first volume of “Tohfatul Al-Maee”, Al-Hamdulliah.

He worked hard in studying the books and did not think to waste his precious time at all. He was a favourite and perfect teacher. He knew the psychology of the students and taught them according to their level of understanding. It was, therefore, easy for the students to grasp the lessons easily to their best satisfaction.

He was blessed with such teaching talent that whenever a difficult and complicated topic was raised, he used to cite some examples that even the slow learners used to understand and comprehend his lesson effortlessly.

Due to his teaching methodology, he was a beloved celebrated teacher among the students. They loved him from the bottom of their hearts. They attended his lessons happily with punctuality.

He delivered his lecture with such velocity that the students were easily able to note down his lectures on papers. That is the reason thousands of his students noted down his lectures on Tirmidhi and well preserved it.

Whenever he explains the difference of opinions among the different schools of thought in Fiqh, he avoided giving preference to the opinion of a certain Imam; instead his focus remained on highlighting the basis and reason of the difference, so that the students can understand the reason behind the view of each Imam about the contentious issue.

Every student was not permitted to read the text of Hadeeth in Sunan Tirmidhi class. Whoever wished to do so, he had to pass the test. The criteria of passing the test were reading Ibaarah with proper pause understanding the punctuation, with clear voice, with average speed and without making a grammatical mistake in the Arabic text.

At the end of the year, he divided the graduating students into several categories like: those who would go for further studies, those who will start teaching, those who will do business and those who will go in Tablighi Jama’ah. He used to advise them accordingly.

Mufti Sahib was expert in several sciences of Islamic studies. He was an exemplary teacher as well as a renowned Mufti in the world. He issued hundreds of Fataawa which are documented in the register. He was a good manager too. As a director, he ran “Majlise Tahaffuze Khatme Nabuwwat” at Darul Uloom Deoband. The Majlis played a key role in creating awareness among the masses about our beloved prophet and messenger Muhammad (SAWS) being the last and final prophet and messenger of Allah as the Majlish also made them aware of the false prophet-hood of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiyani. He was a well-known orator and preacher. For this purpose, he was invited from across the world and he would travel within the country and abroad. Specially, in the long holiday of Ramadahn, he used to visit England, USA, Canada and several African countries. The people eagerly gathered in crowd to listen to his speeches. Little bit, I have tried to highlight his prominent service as a teacher in this piece of writing only.

Mufti Sahib was about 80 years old. He used to fall sick frequently for last several years and got recovery. This year too, he fell sick in the month of Rajab. In the last lesson of Bukhari, he became seriously ill. He reached Mumbai. The treatment started. He recovered as well and was able to deliver speeches after Tarawih Salaah regularly. Later on, he fell sick again and was admitted in Sanjeevani Hospital in Malad (East) where he breathed his last in the morning on 25th Ramadhan 1441 AH =19th May 2020. The news of his death was announced by his son. His relatives and the students scattered all over the world were saddened following the news of the demise spread. The social media was abuzz with news of making Duaa, reading the Qura’an and passing the condolences via letters and video and audio clips. On the same day, he was buried in Oshiwara Muslim Qabristan of Jogeshwari (West) in Mumbai. The Janazah Salah was led by his son, Maulana Ahmad Saeed Sahib. May the Almighty accept his services! May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdause! Aameen!