Ashraf Ali Thanwi is most likely the “Mujaddid” (reviver) of the fourteenth century hijrah. In addition to almost more than thousand publications encompassing various aspects of Islam, he left behind himself approximately 250 thoroughly trained followers.
Thanwi's followers came from all walks of life. Many were religious scholars, some physicians, some other professionals/government servants and few lay people. Dr. Abdul Hai Arifi is one of the most renowned of them.
Contents |
He was a descendant of Sayiddena Abu Bakr Siddique, he was born in a conservative middle class family in Uttar Pradesh, India in 1898. At seven years of age he completed the Quran and started school. Eventually he graduated in 1923 from MAO College, at Aligarh. Furthermore, he studied law at Lucknow University earning the certification for LL.B.
From 1926 till 1935 he practiced law at various places. However, due to certain personal reasons he had to terminate his law career. He studied Homeopathic Medicine in 1936 and continued to practice it till his death in 1986 at Karachi.
Arifi had been in contact with Ashraf Ali Thanwi since 1917. At that time his paternal grandmother and some other family members had become disciples of Mawlana Thanwi. However, it was from 1923 (at 25 years of age) that Dr. Abdul Hai himself started serious efforts of islah (self reformation). In 1927 he became a disciple. This relationship developed and matured over time till the death of Ashraf Ali Thanwi in 1944.
During this duration he corresponded regularly with Thanwi on matters relating to tareeq (path). This correspondence has been published as Maktoobat Hakeemul Ummat. Also he visited Thana Bhawan often to be in company of his Sheikh. His sincerity, enthusiasm and devotion for islah and taqwa soon gained Hakeemul Ummat attention. In 1935 received the khilafat (license) to initiate and train others.
After the passing away of Thaniw, Arifi maintained close ties with his senior khulafa, like Khawaja Azizul Hasan majzoob, Abdul Ghani Phulpuri, Mohammad Shafi, [Sayyid Suleman Nadwi and Baba Najam Ahsan.
Arifi lived a very active life till the end. He demonstrated exemplary punctuality for his routine. He attended his clinic regularly. There he had a daily brief gathering for the disciples. A weekly meeting was reserved for those traversing the sulook and another majlis was for the general masses. He also served as the nazim (Superior-in command) of Darul Uloom Karachi during his last years.
Arifi breathed died a brief illness on Rajab 1406 (27 March 1986) at Karachi. His janazah prayer was led by Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani. He was buried in the graveyard of Darul Uloom.
In addition to eighteen homeopathy publications, he compiled the following books:
1. "Uswa-e-Rasool e Akram Salallaho Alaihey Wasalam" : (The Way of The Exalted Prophet): This is a practical manual or a hand book. It details all the Sunnah of Mohammed.
2. "Maasir e Hakeemul Ummat" : This is a biography of Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi. It portrays Hakeemul Ummat’s manners and style.
3. "Basair e Hakeemul Ummat" : This is a text book of Tasawwuf. It is compilation of extracts from the works of Hakeemul Ummat].
4. "Ma’arif e Hakeemul Ummat" : A compilation from Hakeemul Ummat's teachings.
5. "Jawahir e Hakeemul Ummat" : A compilation from Hakeemul Ummat's teachings particularly related to Tasawwuf.
6. "Islahul Muslimeen" : Another compilation from Hakeemul Ummat’s teachings especially related to implementing deen fully in contemporary westernized society.
7. "Fihrist talefat e Hakeemul Ummat" : A detailed list of all the 1072 publications of Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
8. "Ihkam e mayyit" : Detailed rulings of matters related to terminal illness, death, burial etc. as per Hanafi fiqh. Reviewed and authenticated by Mufti Rafi’ Usmani.
9. "Ma’amoolat e yomiya wa muktasar nisab e islah" : A daily program (wird) and a concise syllabus for reformation.
10. "Seerat conferenso kay leay lamha fikeria" : A sincere and solemn admonition for the contemporary gatherings held, particularly in month of Rabiulawal to discuss the life of Muhammad. It particularly identifies the lack of serious devotion in such events.
11. "Intabah khusoosi" : Based on the command of Muhammad to a pious person in repeated dreams, another serious advice for abandoning the prevalent sins and transgressions and repenting sincerely.
12. "Sihba-e-sukhan" : Urdu poetry. Verses reflecting the experiences of the author.
i “Mujaddid”: As per hadith of Muhammad (Abu Dawood)
ii This delay in bayyah is an essential component of Thanwi suluk.
iii That is also an essential component of Thanwi suluk
iv The “pole” or director for spreading knowledge connecting individual to God. A specific designation in Tasawwuf. A person witnessed (kashaf) Muhammad announcing this title for Hazrat Arifi.
1. http://www.khutbaat.com/biography/abdulhai.shtml.
2. Ma'sir Arifi. Taqi Usmani Mufti; Darul Isha'at; 2002.
3. Albalagh, special Arifi edition, monthly journal of Darul Uloom Karachi.
4. Hazrat Dr Abdul hayy : Sawanih aur talimat, by Raiz Hussain, Idaratul Ma'arif, Karachi