Memories

An English translation of “Yadein”, the autobiography of Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (dāmat barakātuhum), Vice President, Darul Uloom Karachi. Translation by Kaiser Nizamani. Edited by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam and the Al Balagh Editorial Team.

Introduction
After reading my travelogues, many of my friends and well-wishers requested me to write an autobiography of myself. However, I always considered this request as stemming from their love and never gave a serious thought to it. I used to think that biographies are only written of eminent personalities in whose lives there are lessons for others. What benefit could anyone derive from reading the biography of someone like me, who gains nothing except regret and shame when looking back at his past life?
Three years ago, when my extremely respectable senior and Head Mufti of Darul Uloom Dabhel, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri (whose services for Islam span across India as well as different parts of the Muslim world) made the same request in the sacred Haram, I presented the same excuse at that time. However, after returning to Dabhel, Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (dāmat barakātuhum) wrote a detailed letter in which he repeated the same request with great earnestness, not only on his own behalf but also on behalf of numerous other scholars. This letter is reproduced below:

﷽

27 June 2011,

Honorable and respected Hadhrat Mawlana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (dāmat barakātuhum)!
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuhu,
I ask Allah Most High that Hadhrat be safe and sound. This lowly one has been fond of Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi’s (nawwar Allahu marqadahu) and Hadhrat’s writings since a very long time. The only reason for this is that these writings bear the temperament and disposition of the pious scholars of the past and portray the balanced and unadulterated understanding of our scholars. Especially what to say of the most recent era of Hadhrat’s writings! The religious-minded read them with voracious fervour and appetite; multiple editions are sold out soon after they are released. When the writings are receiving such acclaim, how beloved would the writer be himself? There is no need to elaborate on this. Last year, during this very month of July, Hadhrat visited India, in which Hadhrat personally witnessed the fervent love the people of this country have for Hadhrat.
After this short introduction, I would like to humbly submit a request which is not only from this lowly one, rather it is the heartfelt yearning of a very large segment of Muslims. If this request is fulfilled, it will quench an intense thirst, a very large group of scholars will make heartfelt supplications for Hadhrat, and they will get their hands on a beacon of light. And people of knowledge will use this guiding lamp to disentangle the complex challenges of their lives.
The request is that Hadhrat should write his autobiography. To present to Hadhrat examples of our elders writing their own autobiographies, as a precedent of this practice, is like holding up a lamp to the sun. As such, I do not find the audacity to list out the names of their autobiographies. However, one thing that occurred to this lowly one’s deficient mind is that autobiographies of individuals who are alive are more effective in motivating the present generation to follow in their footsteps. It is while the luminaries are alive that, after appreciating their excellence and learning about their qualities (when it becomes accessible to the public in written form), benefit can be derived from them directly and on time, and the trails they have blazed can be treaded. As a result, the path to progress in religious as well as worldly affairs can be traversed more easily and faster. The truth is that books describing the biographies and traits of those who have passed away are mere “theoretical representations”, not living, breathing models to be followed. Therefore, a crucial question arises in the minds of readers of their memoirs and virtues (especially those who did not get to witness them and their times) that begs to be answered: “Who will show us how to practically live these kinds of lives and adopt such character-traits in our own lives?” On the other hand, both “theoretical representation” and “practical model” are to be found in the lives of those who are alive.
Sending “Nūr Azīm” (Great Light) together with “Kitāb Mubīn” (Clear Book) has been the principle of the Lord of the Worlds Himself, upon which He guided His creation. His slaves have also accepted this as something natural. I hope Hadhrat would, in honour of this law of nature, consider this lowly one’s request.
This lowly one’s request is not about the autobiography of some common man, rather it is concerning such a great personality whose scholarly and religious services and literary masterpieces stand out on the world stage, and the entire Muslim world is heavily indebted to him. This is a personality who has single-handedly accomplished what normally requires an entire organization, a feat whose parallel is not found in the present era.
It may be that some hypercritical individuals (whom Hadhrat had to face in the near past) label this autobiography as showing off and an unnecessary publicity of one’s accomplishments, and they may smell self-aggrandizement and exaggeration in this. But it would not be appropriate to pay heed to the few critics, who have existed in all times and not a soul has been spared their criticism, while depriving those who prize and cherish (whose number is beyond counting) of this treasure and who are ever-ready to use such an autobiography as a treasure trove of insights. From students of religious knowledge and madrasas (Islamic Seminaries) to members of governmental Assemblies and Courts, and for every person from within Pakistan and abroad, it would contain a great treasure of lessons, insights and reminders.
What denunciation and criticism did Hadhrat Mawlana Thanwi’s contemporaries perpetrate against him when he authored his in-depth “Ashraf- al-Sawāniḥ”; and against Hadhrat Mawlana Madani when he penned his memoirs in “Naqsh-e-Ḥayat”; and against Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hadith when he wrote his autobiography! But all these elders deserve gratitude from us juniors and the coming generations for not punishing us due to the faultfinding of their critics and enviers. And despite being the embodiment of humility and self-annihilation, they did not deprive those who cherished their life stories and their scholarly and spiritual accomplishments.
This lowly one hopes that, following in the footsteps of his elders, Hadhrat would also not deprive us.
In the above few lines, this lowly one has exercised audacity in indiscriminately penning his longstanding desire in an explicit manner. The reason for this is Hadhrat’s benevolence itself. Whenever this lowly one was blessed with meeting Hadhrat, he noticed that Hadhrat’s trait of appreciating even minute and worthless things is increasing day by day. It is possible that I may not have been able to maintain Hadhrat’s due respect in this letter. If Hadhrat feels so, I humbly plead Hadhrat for forgiveness. And I supplicate from the depths of my heart that Allah Most High keep Hadhrat safe and sound for services to the Muslim world for a very long time. From me and the entire world, Āmīn!
Dictated by: The slave of Allah, Ahmad Khanpuri (may he be pardoned), servant of Darul Ifta, Jami’a Islamiya Taʿlīm al-Deen, Dabhel, Gujarat, India
An additional text accompanied this letter. It described a dream seen by a pious teacher at Jami’a Islamiya Dabhel and contained glad tidings for this servant of Allah. I am reproducing it here merely to attain blessings. Regarding dreams, I am fully cognizant of the following statement of Imam Muhammad ibn Sirīn (may Allah have mercy on him) which I had read in one of my respected father’s (may Allah have mercy on him) writings. Imam Muhammad ibn Sirīn is famous as an imam of dream interpretation. He said: “الرؤيا تسرّ ولا تغر”. Meaning that while it is fine to feel happy at a good dream, one should not be deceived by it, because dreams are not the criterion to gauge a person’s acceptance in the Court of Allah. Rather it is his actions while he is awake. However, it is fine to consider them a good omen and feel happy, provided one uses the dream to increase in righteous actions and adherence to the Sunnah.
With this clarification, I reproduce below the second text that came together with Hadhrat’s [Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri’s] letter:
24 Rajab 1432 AH

﷽

Around five years ago, a Ḥifẓ teacher at our Jami’a (who is a pious individual and regular in his daily maʿmūlāt) saw the Noble Messenger ﷺ in a dream. I quote the dream in his own words (with minor edits):
“The slave of Allah, Shabbir Ahmad Naroli, saw a dream during the days of Hajj (i.e. in the month of Dhu’l Hijjah). I would like to seek its interpretation. The dream transpired as such: It was Tahajjud time and this lowly one felt that Khanqah-related activities are taking place in Jami’a Dabhel. After teaching in my village, this lowly one also attends the Khanqah once in a while. When I arrived, I learned that the Noble Messenger ﷺ was sitting under the fan near the first window at the first door when one enters from the direction of Ḥayyā ʿAlā Al-Falāḥ. At that time, some people were blessed with meeting him ﷺ . This lowly one also met him, and for some time people continued coming and visiting him ﷺ .This lowly one felt a desire to meet him a second time, so I went forward again. Seeing me, the Noble Messenger ﷺ quickly sat up and bestowed the honour of meeting him, and asked: “How are you doing?” This lowly one replied with Alhamdulillah. Soon after, tea was brought for the Noble Messenger ﷺ which he drank. I also desired to present something from my house, so I signaled a student to hurry to my house and bring some food. He soon returned with chicken and roti. I respectfully presented it and he ﷺ partook of it. I was overjoyed at his eating to his fill and remembered the event during the Hijrah when the Noble Messenger ﷺ drank milk at the house of Umm Maʿbad (may Allah be pleased with her). When he ﷺ drank the milk, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked: “He drank to his fill and I became overjoyed.” I was having the same feeling. Thereafter the Noble Messenger ﷺ turned his gaze towards his left, towards the first window. A book named Anwār-e-Nubuwwat (authored by Mufti Shabbir Sahib) was placed upon it. “Bring that book”, he instructed me. I presented it and began opening it and explaining: “O Messenger of Allah! All of his books are very well-referenced. For each Hadith, respected Mufti Sahib cites the name of the source book, the volume number, the page number and even the line number”. At this the Noble Messenger ﷺ remarked: “Yes! Mufti Shabbir in India and Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani in Pakistan are doing very good work”. After a while, the Noble Messenger ﷺ proceeded towards the Ḥayyā ʿAlā Al-Ṣalāh side of the mosque. A few people were eating rice mixed with milk. The Noble Messenger ﷺ put his blessed staff on one side and joined them. Meanwhile, Hadhrat Mawlana Abdullah Kapodarvi came in, met the Noble Messenger ﷺ and remarked: “O Messenger of Allah! You have put aside your staff contrary to your habit. The Noble Messenger ﷺ replied: “Yes brother! One should bear difficulties for someone’s sake.” Several scholars were in attendance at this time. Hadhrat Mufti Ahmad (mudda ẓilluhum) was also present. Conversations were ongoing when the adhan of Fajr was called and this lowly one woke up.”
After receiving this letter, I sent the following reply to Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (mudda ẓilluhum):
Honourable Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri (mudda ẓilluhum al-ʿālī),
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuhu,
I received the letter via email from your respected self at a time when I am on the verge of setting off for my travel to the UK. I have previously received recommendations from numerous friends to write my autobiography, but each time I sternly rejected the idea, because in reality this servant of Allah one does not consider himself to be someone worth writing an autobiography about. Furthermore, the need to give time to other important works never ceases. However, the affectionate tone in which your respected self wrote this letter, and after reading it, it has made me seriously consider this idea for the very first time. The reality remains: what benefit can the autobiography of a mosquito or fly serve anyone? I have nevertheless begun seriously pondering over some of the points you directed my attention towards in your letter. One thought is still a major obstacle. I have a few other academic works in mind for whatever remains of my life. The question is: is it better to spend my time on those works or this one? If I get the opportunity, inshā-Allah I shall seek guidance from your respected self in person regarding this.
I was filled with emotions beyond words at reading the dream your respected self-narrated. May Allah the Glorious and Most High make this servant of Allah worthy of it. Āmīn. I am interested in knowing about Mufti Shabbir Ahmad (mudda ẓilluhum) and his works. I am not aware of him. Please write a few lines about him, if possible.

Wassalām,
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
6/8/1432 AH

After this, I received another letter from Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (mudda ẓilluhum), which is reproduced below.

باسمه تعالى

In the service of Hadhrat Mawlana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (dāmat barakātuhum),
I am well and hope from Allah that you are also well.
In the month of Sha’ban, this lowly one had written to Hadhrat with the request to write his autobiography. Hadhrat honoured this request by accepting it, in person as well as in writing. May Allah grant you the best rewards.
I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Makkah Muāẓẓamah in the Blessed Month. Hadhrat had stated on that occasion: “I have started work on the autobiography”.
On returning to my hometown (India), Hadhrat’s honourable letter addressed to this lowly one was received, in which also Hadhrat mentioned giving a serious consideration to the request.
This lowly one is overjoyed at Hadhrat honouring this request with acceptance, and beginning work on it – whilst also appreciating Hadhrat’s benevolence.
Whoever here has learned of this is overjoyed and is also making du’a that may Allah Most High grant a speedy progress to completion in this regard. (Āmīn)
Hadhrat states the following in his honourable letter:
“One thought is still a major obstacle; I have a few other academic works in mind for whatever remains of my life. The question is: is it better to spend my time on those works or this one?”
Only Hadhrat knows the real answer to this. This lowly one’s deficient viewpoint is:
1. Hadhrat could get the academic works accomplished by others under Hadhrat’s supervision, while Hadhrat can personally work on the autobiography. This is because the former can be done by other scholars and any shortcomings can also be addressed by them, while this is not possible for the latter. It is impossible for someone else to portray the true circumstances that transpired. If someone decides to attempt this, there is a possibility of either exaggerating or understating the reality, similar to what some biographers in the past have fallen into.
2. From Hadhrat’s own discourses, thousands of people have learned, practiced and benefitted in relation to the solution to this dilemma. I reproduce Hadhrat’s own words from his “Discourses”:
The best trick to get things done
My respected father Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ (quddisa sirruhu) used to say that a work which is deferred until one gets the opportune moment is a work deferred forever, never to be accomplished. This is because you put it off. The way to get things done is to insert it between two other works, i.e. when you want to add a third task to your routine, then forcibly add it in between two such tasks which are already a part of your daily routine. This way that third work will also get done. But if you start thinking that you will do that third task after finishing the two tasks first, you will never get it done. Making plans to do something after finishing a work is one of the devices for procrastination. (Islahi Khutbat: 1/53).
I dared to present the above two solutions due to Hadhrat’s words: “If I get the opportunity, Inshā Allah I shall seek guidance from your respected self in person regarding this.” Otherwise, a junior giving advice to his senior is like holding up a lamp to the sun.
Hadhrat states in his letter, out of humbleness:
“The reality remains: what benefit can the autobiography of a mosquito or fly serve anyone?”
In this lowly one’s opinion, the above sentence is full of meaning. It is enough as a reply to this that if a fly contained no benefit, a Surah “Al-Naḥl” (honeybee) would not have been named after it in the Noble Qur’an.
Another point comes to mind; both the mosquito and fly are beings that fly. Hadhrat’s autobiography is in reality a biography of the world. Hardly anyone from the people of knowledge has flown around the world as much as Hadhrat. Hadhrat’s books “Jahan-e-Deedah” and “Dunya Meray Aagay” are evident proofs of this. When Hadhrat’s travelogues are such that:

لذیذ بود حکایت، دراز تر گفتم

The tale was captivating, so I went on telling
Then what would be the state of the autobiography? I am unable to put it in words.
Anyway, I repeat my request: Please do continue the autobiography till its completion.
May Allah Most High keep your benevolent shade over us for a very long time with ‘āfiyah and safety, and may He put barakah in Hadhrat’s time.
Dictated by: The slave of Allah, Ahmad Khanpuri (may he be pardoned)
Servant of Darul Ifta’ and Teaching Faculty
Jami’a Islamiya Taʿlīm al-Deen, Dabhel
Dated: 10 Dhi Qaʿdah 1432 AH
The observations Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (mudda ẓilluhum) has expressed for this servant of Allah in this letter are no doubt stemming from his good opinion and love. Otherwise, من آنم کہ من دانم (I know my reality). But together with this letter, another thought persuaded me to act on this request. Some of those who have love for me have compiled my biography in Urdu and Arabic. Going through them made it clear that their love for me has led them to exaggerate in many matters. Furthermore, while discussing certain topics, the full context and details could not reach them, and perhaps there is nobody who can shed light on their true reality besides myself. Thus, to set the record straight, it is appropriate that I should clarify their reality myself.
On the other hand, the point that was a great impediment for me, i.e. I had numerous academic works in mind and leaving them to stir up a personal tale weighed heavily on me. In order to reconcile between both needs, I had promised Hadhrat Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri (mudda ẓilluhum) that I will fulfill his request by penning the memories of my life during my travels.
I thus wrote the letter below in reply:

﷽

Honourable Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri (mudda ẓilluhum)
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuhu,
I received Hadhrat’s letter via email, and in compliance with Hadhrat’s command, I have decided to begin this work with the name of Allah Most High during my travels. Hadhrat is departing for Hajj soon. This servant of Allah requests for prayers. Even though I know that Hadhrat makes du’a for this useless one, my heart still desires to ask Hadhrat for dua’s. And please also make du’a that if Allah Most High’s pleasure lies in this work, then He grants me the ability to complete it in such a manner that other works are not disturbed. I also request to present salām from this useless one at the sacred Rawdah. May Allah Most High grant you the blessings of Hajj Mabrūr and return you with ‘āfiyah. And may your benevolent shade remain on us with the same blessings until a long time. Āmīn! Wassalām.
The slave of Allah, Muhammad Taqi Usmani,
28 Dhu’l Qaʿdah 1432 AH
Therefore, acting on this plan of action, I began this work during flights and in places of accommodation during travels. A decent amount had been completed when I met Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (mudda ẓilluhum) after some time. When I informed Hadhrat Mufti Sahib (dāmat barakātuhum) about this, he advised to begin publishing it as monthly episodes in the monthly “Al-Balagh”. With the name of Allah Most High, I am thus beginning this series from next month. May Allah Most High make it beneficial for the readers. Āmīn.