Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi
Muslim Scholar
20th Century
Name
Muhammad Zakariyya ibn Muhammad Yahya ibn Muhammad Ismail Kandhlawi
Birth February 2 or February 3, 1898
Death May 24 or May 25, 1982
School/tradition Sunni Islam
Notable ideas Basic principles and practices of Islam and global brotherhood
Influenced by Sahaba's Da'wah practice
Qutbul Aqtaab Shaikhul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakarīyyā Kāndhlawī (RA) was a prominent Sunni Muslim scholar of the Indian subcontinent. He was the nephew of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi, the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat. He subscribed to the Darul Uloom Deoband school of thought. He is best remembered for his contribution to the studies of hadith and as the author of the twenty-volume Awjāz ul-Masālik ilá Muwattā Imām Mālik [1]. He is also the author of Fadha'il-e-Amaal, which is part of a series of kitabs used by the Tablighi Jamaat for Da'wah.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Education
3 Teaching
4 Household
5 Daily Routine
6 Personality and Appearance
7 Death
8 Written Works
9 References
10 See also
11 External links
Early life
Muhammad Zakariyya ibn Muhammad Yahya ibn Muhammad Ismail Kandhlawi was born in the town of Kandhla, in the district of Muzaffarnagar on Thursday, 11th of Ramadan, 1315 Hijri, at eleven o'clock. His lineage stretches back over centuries to Abu Bakr. Seven days after his birth, his father, Maulana Muhammad Yahya Kandhlawi, came to Kandhla. Standing at the door of the house, he expressed the wish to have a look at the newborn baby. The baby was sent to him. Maulana Yahya had brought along the barber. At a sign, the barber shaved off the baby's hair. He sent the hair inside with the message:
"I have attended to the hair. You can slaughter the goats and give silver equal to the weight of the hair in sadaqah."
Hazrat Shaikh lived in Kandhla until he was two and a half years old. In around 1318 Hijri, he moved to Gangoh, where his father lived.
Education
After reaching Gangoh, Hazrat Shaikh commenced his primary education under a pious doctor, Hakim Abdur Rahman. Qaidah Baghdadi was learnt under him. Thereafter, he commenced Hifz of the Qur'an under his father. Hazrat Shaikh was instructed to recite his daily Hifz lesson 100 times. After completing Hifz of the Qur'an, he studied various other kitabs viz. Beheshti Zewar and Persian and Urdu kitabs. Persian kitabs and preliminary Arabic kitabs were taught to Hazrat Shaikh by his paternal uncle, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi. Only the primary textbooks of Nahw (Arabic grammar) were taught to him by his father.
In Rajab of 1328 Hijri, Hazrat Shaikh moved to Saharanpur, where his father had settled. In Saharanpur, Hazrat Shaikh was taught a few primary Arabic textbooks by his father and advanced his study of Arabic, tackling many classical texts on Arabic morphology, grammar, literature, and logic. His Ustads in the philosophical sciences were Maulana Abdul Lateef and Maulana Abdul Wahid Sambhali. In Saharanpur, hadith became the main focus and goal of Hazrat Shaikh's life.
By 1333 Hijri, Hazrat Shaikh was completing his final (Daura) year. Besides Sunan ibn Maja, he studied all the hadith kitabs under his father. Since Sunan ibn Maja was being taught by Maulana Thabit Ali, Hazrat Shaikh studied it under him. Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan al-Tirmidhi were pursued a second time by Hazrat Shaikh under Hazrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri on his return from Hijaaz. Hazrat Shaikh expended great effort and concentration in the pursuit of his study in hadith. He observed two things rigidly: Never would he miss a lesson and never would he study without wudhu.
Teaching
On the 10th of Dhul Qa'da, 1334 Hijri, when Hazrat Shaikh was merely nineteen, his father passed away. After completing his academic studies, on the 1st of Muharram, 1335 Hijri, Hazrat Shaikh was appointed as a teacher at the primary level in Mazahirul Uloom. The monthly wage was fifteen rupees. Kitabs such as Usoolush Shashi and Ilmus Sigha were assigned to him. These two kitabs were transferred to Hazrat Shaikh from senior teachers. Besides these, he taught another five kitabs viz. Miat-e-Aamil Manzoom, Sharh-e-Miak, Khulasah Nohmir, Nafhatul Yaman and Munyatul Musalli.
In the following year, he taught the following kitabs: Mirqaat, Quduri, Sharah Tahzib, Kaafiyah, Nurul Eidgah, Usoolush Shashi, Sharah Jami, and Beheth fil Beheth Ism. In the same year, there was further promotion. Higher kitabs such as Maqaamaat, Sab'ah Muallaqah, Mir Qutbu, Kanzud Daqaaiq etc. were assigned to Hazrat Shaikh.
In view of the commencement of writing the kitab, Bazlul Majhood, most lessons during 1337 Hijri were taught after hours. Thus, Hamaasah was taught after Isha and some other lessons after Asr.
In 1338 Hijri, Hazrat Shaikh accompanied his Shaikh, Hazrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri to Hijaaz. They returned in Muharram of 1339 Hijri. The search for the subject matter for Bazlul Majhood and recording it were the responsibility solely of Hazrat Shaikh. In consequence thereof, it became difficult to accomplish the prescribed syllabus assigned to him. Therefore, from Muharram of 1340 Hijri, he was released during the mornings from his teaching in order to devote this time to the writing Bazlul Majhood.
In Rajab of 1341 Hijri, three chapters of Sahih al-Bukhari were transferred from Maulana Abdul Lateef to Hazrat Shaikh. From Shawwaal of 1341 Hijri to Sha'baan of 1344 Hijri, teaching Mishkat al-Masabih was his responsibility.
In Shawwaal of 1344 Hijri, Hazrat Shaikh again accompanied his Shaikh for Hajj. In Madina, he taught Sunan Abi Da'ud at Madrasatul Uloom Shariah for a year. While in Madina, he began working on Awjaz ul-Masalik ila Muwatta Imam Malik. He was twenty-nine at the time. After spending a year in Hijaaz, he returned on the 18th of Safar, 1346 Hijri. On the very same day, Sunan Abi Da'ud was transferred from Maulana Abdul Lateef to Hazrat Shaikh. In this year, he also taught Nisaai, Muatta Imam Muhammad and from the twelfth to the sixteenth para of Sahih al-Bukhari.
In 1346 Hijri, the authorities of the Madrasah resolved to assign Sahih al-Bukhari to Hazrat Shaikh because the administrative duties of the Madrasah's Nazim, Maulana Abdul Lateef had multiplied considerably. This plan greatly saddened the Nazim because of the loss of his occupation of teaching hadith. Hazrat Shaikh's sensitive and honourable disposition perceived the adverse effect this plan had on Maulana Abdul Lateef. He therefore submitted an alternative plan to the Madrasah authorities. His plan envisaged that the beginning of Sahih al-Bukhari should be taught by the Nazim and, after Eid, the first volume of Sahih al-Bukhari should be taught by him (Hazrat Shaikh). The second volume should be taught by the Nazim after Maghrib. This plan was gladly accepted and the Nazim's displeasure dissipated.
The Madrasah had also assigned Sunan Abi Da'ud to Hazrat Shaikh. This remained the position until 1375 Hijri, on account of the Nazim's journey to Rangoon in 1373 Hijri. In 1374 Hijri, on account of the Nazim's prolonged indisposition, Sunan Abi Da'ud and both volumes of Sahih al-Bukhari were assigned to Hazrat Shaikh. When the Nazim passed away, Sunan Abi Da'ud was transferred to Maulana Muhammad Asadullah while Sahih al-Bukhari was assigned to Hazrat Shaikh. During this period of teaching, a very large number of students and others attended Hazrat Shaikh's class, in order to acquire the knowledge of hadith.
In all, he taught the first half of Sahih al-Bukhari twenty-five times, the complete Sahih al-Bukhari sixteen times, and Sunan Abi Da'ud thirty times. He did not simply teach hadith as a matter of routine. The work of hadith became his passion. Hazrat Shaikh taught until 1388 Hijri, when he started developing eye cataracts. In consequence he was compelled to terminate the auspicious occupation of his life.
Household
Shaikh Muhammad Zakariyya married twice. He first married the daughter of Shaykh Ra'uf al-Hasan in Kandhla. She passed away on the 5th of Dhul Hijja, 1355 Hijri. He then married his first cousin, the daughter of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi, in 1356 Hijri. He had five daughters and three sons from his first wife, and two daughters and one son from his second marriage.
Daily Routine
Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya organized his time meticulously. He would rise an hour before dawn and occupy himself in tahajjud and recitation of Qur'an before performing his Fajr prayers at the masjid. After Fajr, he would read his morning supplications and litany until sunrise. Thereafter, he would meet some people and drink tea. He would then return to his living quarters to read. During this time he would also research and compile his literary works, and, with a few exceptions, nobody was allowed to visit him. When it was time for lunch, he would come out and sit with his guests. After Zuhr, he would take a siesta and then listen to his correspondence (which amounted to around forty or fifty letters daily), dictating replies. He also taught for two hours before Asr. After Asr, he would sit with a large group of people, offering them tea. After performing Maghrib, he would remain devoted in solitude to optional prayer and supplication. He did not take an evening meal except to entertain an important guest.
Personality and Appearance
Shaikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi describes Hazrat Shaikh: "He was of medium height, heavy-set, and handsome, with a fair, rosy complexion, as though pomegranate seeds had burst onto both of his cheeks. He was extremely vibrant, never lazy, light-hearted, smiling, cheerful, and friendly. He often jested with his close friends and acquaintances. We saw in him good character and forbearance with people, as well as rare humility and, above all, his personal qualities were always governed by his deep faith and sense of contentment."
Death
Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya passed away in Madina on Monday, 1st of Sha'ban, 1402 Hijri and was buried in Jannat ul-Baqi, in the company of the companions and noble family members of the Prophet Muhammad. His funeral procession was followed by a large number of people and he was buried in the graveyard next to his teacher, Hazrat Shaikh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri.
Written Works
Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya wrote works both in Arabic and Urdu. A number of them treat specialized subjects intended for scholars, and the rest have been written for the general public. His works demonstrate his deep knowledge and intelligence; his ability to understand the issue at hand, research it thoroughly, and present a complete, clear and comprehensive discussion; his moderation, humility, patience, and attention to detail. His respect and awe for the pious predecessors are evident in his works, even when he disagrees with their opinions on any particular aspect.
His first written work was a three-volume commentary of the Alfiyya Ibn Malik on Arabic grammar, which he wrote as a student when he was only thirteen. His written works amount to over one hundred. He did not withhold any rights to his works and made it publicly known that he only published his works for the sake of Allah's pleasure. Whoever wished to publish them was permitted to, on the condition that they were left unaltered and their accuracy maintained.
Hence, his books have gained overwhelming acceptance throughout the world, so much so that his work, Fadha'il-e-Qur'an has been translated into eleven languages, Fadha'il-e-Ramadan into twelve languages, and Fadha'il-e-Salat into fifteen languages. He wrote four books on tafsir (Qur'an commentary) and tajwid (proper recitation), forty-four books on hadith and its related sciences, six books on fiqh and its related sciences, twenty-four historical and biographical books, four books on aqida (Islamic creed), twelve books on zuhd (abstinence) and riqaq (heart-softening accounts), three books on Arabic grammar and logic, and six books on modern-day groups and movements.
Awjāz-ul-Masālik ilá Muwattā' Imām Mālik: One of the most comprehensive commentaries on the Muwatta of Imam Malik in terms of the science of hadith, jurisprudence, and hadith explication. Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya provides the summaries of many other commentaries in a clear, intellectual, and scholarly way, dealing with the various opinions on each issue, mentioning the differences of opinions among the various scholars, and comparing their evidences. This commentary, written in Arabic, has won great acclaim from a number of Maliki scholars.
Fadha'il-e-Amaal
Lami' al-Dirari ala Jami' al-Bukhari: Written in Arabic, a collection of the unique remarks and observations on Sahih al-Bukhari presented by Hazrat Shaikh Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. These life-long acquired wisdoms were recorded by his student, Maulana Muhammad Yahya Kandhlawi (Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya's father) during their lessons. Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya edited, arranged, and commented on his father's compilation, clarifying the text and adding a comprehensive introduction at the beginning.
Al-Abwab wal Tarajim lil Bukhari: An explanation of the chapter headings of Sahih al-Bukhari. Assigning chapter headings in a hadith collection is a science in itself, known among the scholars as Al-Abwab wal Tarajim (chapters and explanations). In it, the compiler explains the reasons for the chapter heading and the connections between the chapter headings and the hadiths quoted therein. It is well known that the commentators of Sahih al-Bukhari have paid special attention to the titles therein, in tune with the Arabic saying: "The fiqh of Sahih al-Bukhari is in his chapter headings" (Fiqh al-Bukhari fi tarajimihi). Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyya not only quotes and compiles what has been mentioned by other scholars, but also correlates and clarifies these opinions and presents findings from his own research in many instances.
Juz Hajjat al-Wida wa Umrat al-Nabi: A comprehensive Arabic commentary on the detailed accounts of the Hajj of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It includes the details of any juridical discussions on the various aspects of pilgrimage, giving the locations, modern-day names, and other details of the places the Messenger of Allah (SAW) passed by or stayed at.
Khasail Nabawi Sharh Shama'il al-Tirmidhi: Composed in Urdu, a commentary on Tirmidhi's renowned work, Al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya, a collection of hadiths detailing the characteristics of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). This commentary explains the various aspects related to the different characteristics and practices of Allah's Messenger (SAW). It has been translated into English and is widely available.
