A few days before the maulud of Prophet Muhammad (saw) I had a chance encounter with a student of hadith in Langkawi.
The gentleman did not admit it, but I am under impression that he has memorized most – if not all - of the ahadith in the 6 major hadith books (Kutub as-Sittah). A graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband in India, he related a curious story on how in the early days, the upper floor section of the Darul Hadith building was reserved to jinn-students only. I mean, humans studied downstairs, and jinns upstairs. Now the jinn section is open to human, and people study Quranic tafseer there.
The gentleman did not admit it, but I am under impression that he has memorized most – if not all - of the ahadith in the 6 major hadith books (Kutub as-Sittah). A graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband in India, he related a curious story on how in the early days, the upper floor section of the Darul Hadith building was reserved to jinn-students only. I mean, humans studied downstairs, and jinns upstairs. Now the jinn section is open to human, and people study Quranic tafseer there.
Darul Uluoom Deoband is world-famous for hadith studies. Many ulama graduated from this madrasah.I have great respect for this young brother for his ability, humbleness, and respect to Islam and the Prophet (saw). He is the imam of masjid, Hanafi by mazhab, yet paused after the 2nd ruku’ in Subuh solah to recite dua qunut in respect of Shafi’i followers behind him. He is of Chishti tariqah, and makes a habit of walking about town reciting Allah’s name at least 6000 times a day. He recites al-Quran several juzu everyday so that he can khatam all 30 juzu in 8 days. He very recently – from 10pm until 5am - debated a deviant visitor from Penang (of Qadiani sect) on legitimacy of Prophet Muhammad (saw) being the final messenger (khatam nubuwwah).
Reflecting on this I wonder how some of us only after reading a few quotes of ahadith, get big-headed and start to attack authority of established ulama. Really these misguided ones have been beguiled by ignorance and nafs-ammarah. How dare they say that we – the followers of mazhab – blindly follow the past ulama, instead of follow the sayings of the Prophet? Do they think none of us study hadith? Get real! I have met a few hadith masters, ALL of them follow one mazhab or another.
If you happen to be in Langkawi, look for Imam Mohammed Khaled of Masjid India (Riadhul ‘Abidin) in Kuah town. Make a visit to this man, maybe there is something good Allah will bestow you. Langkawi at least has charmed me twice: the beauty of the beaches and the encounter with a hadith master. Alhamdulillah.Kutub as-Sittah: The six famous hadith books comprising of Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, the Sunans of an-Nasa’i, Abu Dawud, Tirmidzi, and Ibn Majah.
The brother mentioned they also studied Muwatta’ of Imam Malik and Muwatta’ Imam Muhammad in Darul Uloom.
Wallahu a'lam
As Salam Alaekum wrwb,
ReplyDeleteJazakallah for the info. I am from India and would be in Langkawi for the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays next month. I wish to perform Qurbani there. I’d really appreciate if you could please provide me Imam Mohammed Khaled’s contact nos. and any other information that would help me arrange for a Qurbani in advance.
My id is : faisalhijazi@gmail.com.
Jazakallah Khair.
Faisal
waalaikumussalam,
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your holidays. Unfortunately I don't have the imam's number. Langkawi is really small, just ask a taxi driver to send you to the only Masjid India in town. There's a small hotel right across the street (but I don't remember the name).