Shah Wali Allah's
Hujjat Allah al-Baligha
(The Conclusive Argument from God")
Taught by Shaykh Mufti Said Ahmad Palanpuri
(The Shakh al-Hadith of Darul Uloom Deoband)
A unique opportunity for 'alims and 'alimas to study a portion of Shah Wali Allah's Magnum Opus Hijjat Allah al-Baligha under one of the top scholars of the Indian Sub-Continent. Mufti Said Ahmad Palanpuri is not only a lecturer of hadith (and one of the most popular teachers at Darul Uloom Deoband) but is a prolific writer having written on a number of subjects. His works include a five volume commentary in Urdu of Hujjat Allah al-Baligha, titled Rahmat Allah al-Wasi’a, which was published a few years ago. Therefore, this is an opportunity to study a portion of this great book which so many find difficult to access. Truly an opportunity not to be missed.
Hujjat Allah al-Baligha is one of the master works of Shah Wali Allah of Delhi. This work originally written in Arabic represents a synthesis of the Islamic intellectual disciplines authoritative in the 18th century. This comprehensive work deals with both intellectual and practical aspects of Islam. The first part deals with aspects of metaphysics and scholastic theology, the gradual development or evolution of human society and the philosophy behind the divine injunctions. The second part is devoted to ethics, politics, rituals and the social life of Islam.
Class is open to 'Ulama and 'Alimas. Advanced students of the Din with an understanding of Arabic are welcome.
Venue:
Masjide Quba
70 - 72 Cazenove Road
Stamford Hill
London
England
N16 6AA
For further information please call: 0789 455 47080
Timing: After Asr Prayer (7.30) to Isha Prayer.
Thursday 29th July 2010
This program will also incorporate an introduction to the Turath Scholarship Fund [/URL]available for scholars to pursue studies in higher fields.
Shah Wali Allah al-Muhaddith ad-Dehlavi was born on 4 Shawwal, 1114 AH (February 21, 1703 CE) at Phulat, in UP, India. He was named Wali Allah Ahmad Qutb-ud-Din. His father, Shah Abdul Rahim, was an eminent sufi and a scholar of great repute. He was the founder and teacher of the Madrasa-i-Rahimiyah in Delhi. Shah Abdul Rahim was also associated with the completion of the famous Islamic legal text, Fatawa-i-Alamgiri.
Shah Wali Allah received his academic and spiritual education from his father. He memorized the Holy Quran and gained knowledge of Tafseer, Hadith, spiritualism, mysticism, metaphysics, logic, and Ilm-ul-Kalam while still in his boyhood. After mastering these subjects, he turned his attention to the Hadith and Islamic Jurisprudence. He also studied medicine. After acquiring this knowledge, he taught at his father's Madrasa for 12 years. He left for Arabia in 1730 for higher education. During his stay in Arabia, he was influenced by Sheikh Abu Tahir Muhammad ibn Burhan-ud-Din Ibrahim al-Kurani, a renowned scholar of the time. He stayed in Hijaz for 2 years, where he obtained further knowledge in Hadith and the sanads from many resident scholars of Hijaz. Shah Wali Ullah has written that while he was in Arabia, he was blessed with a vision of the Holy Prophet (SAW), and tidings that he would be influential in organizing the reform of Muslims in India.
By the time he returned to Delhi in July 1732, the decline in Mughal fortunes had started. The
social, political, economic and religious conditions of the Muslims were very poor. On his return to India, he not only identified the causes for the decline of the Muslims, but also pointed out the remedies. Shah Wali Ullah believed that the various problems Muslims faced were due to their ignorance about Islam and the Holy Quran. He, therefore, personally trained a number of students who were entrusted with the task of spreading Islam. In order to promulgate the teachings of Islam and make the Holy Quran more accessible to the people, he translated the Quran to Persian, the main and common language of the people at that time. He also tried to reduce the various differences of many a sectarian group prevailing at that time.
Shah Wali Allah was a prolific writer and wrote extensively on Fiqh and Hadith. He eventually wrote over 70 books in Arabic and Persian. Among his famous works are the Hujjat-ullah-il-Balighah, al-Budur al-Bazigha and Izalat-ul-Khifa.
Shah Wali Allah acutely followed developments in the political situation in India and took commendable steps to check the anti-Muslim insurgence that was threatening to throw the country into civil war. After a very exemplary, noble and productive life, he passed away on 26 Muharram, 1175 AH (17 August 1762 CE) and was laid to rest in Delhi. His sons and followers ably continued his work and noble mission.