Hafiz-e-Millat Shah Abdul Aziz Muradabadi: A Renowned Islamic Scholar
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
6 December 2024
Hafiz-e-Millat Shah Abdul Aziz Muradabadi Was A Celebrated Islamic Scholar, Founder Of Al-Jamiat ul Ashrafia, And Author Of Key Islamic Texts, Remembered For His Dedication To Religious Education And Reform
Main Points:
1. Hafiz-e-Millat Shah Abdul Aziz Muradabadi was a prominent Islamic scholar, writer, and hadith expert.
2. He established Al-Jamiat ul Ashrafia in Mubarakpur, a leading Islamic institution.
3. A disciple and successor of Sadr-ush-Shariah Maulana Amjad Ali Aazami.
4. Authored significant works like Ma’arif-e-Hadith and Fatawa Aziziyah.
5. Passed away on 31 May 1976, leaving a legacy of scholarly contributions.
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Hafiz-e-Millat, Shah Abdul Aziz Muradabadi’s Urs Mubarak. Allama Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddis Muradabadi (1894-1976), known by titles like 'Hafiz-e-Millat', 'Ustad ul Ulama', and 'Jalaat-ul-Ilm', was a renowned Islamic scholar, writer, and hadith expert. He is also the author of several influential works, including Aqaid-ul-Ulama-e-Deoband.
Early Life and Education
Hafiz-e-Millat was born in 1894 in Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh. He began his early education at home under the supervision of his father, Hafiz Ghulam Noor, and memorized the Quran. Additionally, he attended four classes of Urdu studies in Bhojpur. At the age of 27, he enrolled at Jamia Naeemia, Muradabad, where he studied under prominent Islamic scholars and completed his education in three years. In 1924, he moved to Ajmer to complete the Dars-e-Nizami at Madarsa Moinia and also studied hadith under Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Maulana Amjad Ali Azmi. In 1932, he received his sanad (certificate) in Bareilly.
Teaching Career
In December 1933, he responded to the invitation of Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah and went to Bareilly. There, at the command of Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah, he began teaching at Madarsa Ashrafia Misbah-ul-Uloom, Mubarakpur. On 14th February 1934, he was appointed as the head teacher (Sadr-ul-Mudarris) of the Madarsa. Under his guidance, the madrasa’s fame grew, and the number of students increased. By 1935, he moved the Madarsa to a new building and renamed it ‘Dar-ul-Uloom Ashrafia Misbah-ul-Uloom’, with the blessings of Maulana Syed Ali Hussain Ashrafi Miyan and Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Maulana Amjad Ali Azmi.
Expansion and New Beginnings
As the number of students increased, it became necessary to expand the madarsa. In Rabi-ul-Awwal of 1972, with the guidance of Mufti-e-Azam Hind Mustafa Raza Khan and Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri, the foundation of ‘Al-Jamiatul Ashrafia’ was laid in Mubarakpur, which now serves as a prominent institution in UP.
Educational Vision
Hafiz-e-Millat had a vision of providing students with a thorough education, not only in Islamic sciences but also in Arabic and English, so that they could serve the cause of Islam globally.
Many of his students have continued his work in serving Islam. Prominent students of Hafiz-e-Millat include Muhammad Muslihuddin Siddiqui, Faqih-e-Azam Hind Mufti Shariful Amjadi, Rais-ul-Qalam Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri, Muhaddis-e-Kabir Mufti Zia-ul-Mustafa Azmi, Allama Badr-ud-Din Ahmad Razvi, Mufti Abdul Mannan Azmi, Maulana Hafiz Abdul Rauf Balayawi, Shaykh-ul-Islam Alim Syed Muhammad Madani Ashrafi, Mufakkir-e-Islam Hazrat Qamar-uz-Zaman Azmi, Muhammad Ahmad Misbahi, Allama Yasin Akhtar Misbahi, Allama Badrul Qadri, and Dr. Jalal-ud-Din Ahmad Noori.
A Man of Tradition
Hafiz-e-Millat followed the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in every aspect of his life. Once, when he had a wound on his right foot, a person brought medicine for him and said, “Hazrat, the medicine is ready.” Since it was winter, he was wearing socks. He removed the sock from his left foot first, and when the person remarked that the wound was on his right foot, Hafiz-e-Millat replied, “It is Sunnah to remove the sock from the left foot first.”
In 1967, he performed Hajj, refusing to have his photograph taken, a testimony to his commitment to follow Shari’ah.
A Notable Incident in Madinah
During his stay in Madinah, while praying at the Prophet’s (PBUH) grave, a Wahhabi officer stopped him and insisted he face the Qibla to make Dua. Hafiz-e-Millat, showing respect to the Prophet’s (PBUH) grave, did not respond immediately. When the officer claimed that facing the Prophet’s (PBUH) grave while making Dua was Shirk (polytheism), Hafiz-e-Millat explained, “In the Qur’an, Allah Ta’ala mentions the use of Waseela (intercession), and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the best intercessor.” The officer remained silent and left.
Hafiz-e-Millat was a disciple and Khalifa of Hazrat Sadr-ush-Shariah Maulana Mufti Amjad Ali Azmi. He also received Khilafat from Hazrat Maulana Syed Ali Hussain Ashrafi Miyan Kichchhawi.
Among his distinguished disciples were Muhaddis-e-Kabir Allama Mufti Zia-ul-Mustafa Azmi, Allama Mufti Mohammad Naseer-ud-Din Misbahi, and Hazrat Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri.
Quotes of Shah Abdul Azeez Muradabadi
“In this world, act righteously, and you will find peace in the grave.”, “The best response to any criticism is through righteous actions.”, “Strive to be a person of action because true honour lies in virtuous deeds.”, “Wealth is a blessing from ALLĀH, but the habit of using it for good deeds is an even greater blessing.” “A respectable person is one who wears simple attire yet possesses profound knowledge in their heart.”, “Always focus on others' virtues and reflect on your own shortcomings.”, “Personal honour means nothing; true honour lies in faith. Our dignity is derived from the exalted status of faith.”
Books and Writings
Hafiz-e-Millat authored several important books and fatwas. Some of his notable works include: Ma’arif-e-Hadith, Irshad-ul-Qur’an, Al-Misbah-ul-Jadeed, Imba-ul-Ghaib, Firqah-e-Najiyah, Fatwa Aziziyah, Hashiah Sharh Mirqat
Hafiz-e-Millat passed away on 1st Jamadi-ul-Akhir 1396 Hijri (31st May 1976). On the day of his death, he was teaching the book Sahih al-Bukhari and had just finished discussing the book of Janazah. He passed away at 11:55 PM that same night. His shrine is located in Mubarakpur, Uttar Pradesh.
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A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
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