Mushkilat-ul-Quran By Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri

Mushkilat-ul-Quran is predominantly in Arabic, but passages in the Farsi language also appears throughout the work. The main objective of undertaking to write this book was to interpret only those verses of the Holy Quran which are generally considered to be difficult to understand. Thus, while analyzing these verses, Allama Kashmiri began by first discussing the opinion on some of the notable Mufassirin and thereafter he gives his view. Allama Kashmiri believed that a proper commentary of the Holy Quran could best be done in the light of Asbab al-Nuzul. Knowing the causes for the revelation of the verses would assist the Mufassir to be in a position te relate the Quranic verses to contemporary time. A special feature of this particular work is that the author has, in addition, set aside 190 verses which, in his opinion, required further discussion and repeated consideration.

Mushkilat-ul-Quran was published after Allama Kashmiri’s demise by Majlis-e-Ilmi in Dhabel. The 228-page book was later republished by one of the Allama Kashmiri’s renowned students, namely, Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Binuri with a 38-page introduction. In his introduction, Maulana Binuri touches briefly upon Allama Kashmiri’s life and his involvement in the study of the Holy Quran and discusses all the sciences that are somehow related to the Holy Quran. He also touches upon the conditions that qualify a person to write a commentary on the Holy Quran. This edition was published by Majlis-e-Ilmi in Delhi, and was printed by Jamal Press in 1937.

The second edition of this book made its appearance in 1996 and was published by Majlis-e-Ilmi in Karachi and this edition comprises of 448 pages.

Allama Kashmiri “The Matchless Scholar”

When Allama Muhaddis Ali Hanbali al Misri, the world famous scholar and the Hafiz of the Sahihayn(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) visited Deoband, he attended the lectures that were delivered by Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri on Sahih al-Bukhari. During the course of the lectures he sought explanations from Allama Kashmiri on many issues. Allama Kashmiri promptly answered his questions in the Arabic language. After the lesson was over, he remarked that he had travelled widely throughout the Arab world and in Egypt and he himself has taught Sahih al-Bukhari for ten years, but he had not met any scholar of Hadis of the caliber of Allama Kashmiri. He further remarked that he tried to test Allama Kashmiri’s knowledge by asking him some most difficult questions but was amazed that Allama Kashmiri possessed vast knowledge.

Books Written By Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri

Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri resolved to dedicate his entire life in the service of Islam and through his writings, he managed to clarify certain issues which kept on puzzling many a Muslim scholar. He tackled the religious controversies that were in vogue during his time in order to guide the Muslim masses. His work covered a wide range of subjects that were, for example, related to the Holy Quran, Aqa’id(Fundamental Beliefs), Metaphysics, Islamic Jurisprudence, Zoology, Poetry and Political thought. Here  are the names of his few works: (1) Mushkilat-uk-Quran (2) Zarb-ul-khatim Ala Huduas al- Alam (Final Verdict on the creation of the Universe), (3) Mirqat al-Tarim li Hudus al-Alam(Steps leading to the Creation of the Universe), (4) Sahm-ul-Ghayb fi Kayd Ahl al-Ryb, (5) Aqidat al-Islam fi Hayat Isa(a.s)(Islamic belief in regard to Jesus being alive), (6) Ikfar-ul-Mulhidin(pronouncement of unbelief against those who deny the basic beliefs of Islam), (7) Tahiyat-ul-Islam fi Hayati Isa(a.s), (7) Al-Tasrih bi ma Tawatra fi Nuzul al-Masih, (8) Khatam al-Nabiyin(Finality of  prophethood), (8) Fasl al-khitab fi Umm al-Kitab, (9) Al-Nur al-Faiz ala Nazm al-Faraid, (10) Nayl al-Firqadayn fi Masalah Raf al-Yadayn, (11) Bast al-Yadayn, (12) Kashf al-Satr an Salat al-Witr, (13) Khaza’in al-Asrar.

Scholarship of Allama Anwar shah Kashmiri

Allama Anwar shah Kashmiri(r.a) was considered an authority on the Quran and Hadis and has profound knowledge of the Arabic language and his contemporaries acknowledged his expertise in the various fields of Islamic sciences. He had a passion for books and he had read almost all books, old and the new ones, in order to acquaint himself with the latest Islamic literature that were then available in the muslim world. He was an avid reader and his reading speed was far above average. He could daily scan through two hundred pages of Musnad  Ahmad Ibne Hanbal. What is indeed fascinating is that while conducting his lectures in Hadis, Allama would quote Ahadis from Musnad Ahmad Ibne Hanbal without having to refer to the written text. He also managed to read the entire Fat’h-ul-Qadeer within a period of twenty days and mastered it. It was common practice among  many of  the Indian Ulama to refer to Allama Kashmiri’s views and opinions in their literary works

Fayz Ul Bari is a commentary on Al- jami Al- Sahih of Imam Bukhari(r.a) in Arabic language and was compiled from the lectures notes of Allama  Anwar Shah Kashmiri(r.a) by one of his students, namely, Maulana  Badr-e-Alam  Meeriti. Faiz ul Bari consists of six lengthy volume. Its first volume consists of a lengthy introduction, which deals with the biography of Allama Kashmiri  and notes on “Isnaad” (chain of narrators) by Allama Yousuf Binuri. It also includes a biography of Imam Bukhari, and the special characteristics of Imam Bukhari hadis compilation and other related issues. This work gives extensive coverage to Tarjumatul Abwab in order to acquaint the reader with the relationship that exists between the headings of the chapters and the Ahadis Contained in them. The subject of Aqaid (beliefs) is also discussed in great detail so as to impress upon the reader the need for one to have the correct beliefs as a muslim. Certain omissions of Imam Bukhari are also highlighted. An effort has also been made to explorate a Fiqhi (legal) ruling, wherever possible, from some of the subjects that have been tackled in Sahih Bukhari Shareef.  

Lucknow: Political parties should refrain from using religion as a tool for serving their political interests, , Senior Deobandi cleric and Mohatamim (head) of the Madarsa Jamiatul Anwaria, Maulana Nasim Akhtar Shah Qaiser said, reacting to the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal. “The Samajwadi Party (SP) is pursuing its narrow political agenda under the cover of religion in order to gain the sympathy of the Muslim community. Instead of fuelling the controversy over the incident, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should order a high level inquiry. It’s a serious matter if the wall of the mosque was      indeed demolished,’’ he said.
Nagpal, a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Gautam Budh Nagar district who had launched a drive to curb illegal sand mining from the Yamuna and Hindon rivers, was suspended by the chief minister in the intervening night of 27-28 July, for allegedly demolishing the boundary wall of an under construction mosque in Kadalpur village.  Maintaining that the suspension of the young IAS officer had nothing to do with the demolition of the boundary wall of the mosque, he said, “This alacrity of the SP government was not seen when six Muslim youth were killed in police firing in Missouri, Ghaziabad district and several dozen Muslim houses were looted and torched in Astan village in Pratapgarh district in June 2012. If the SP government in UP is so concerned about the well-being of Muslims, then it should tell the people what punitive action it took against the police and civil administration officers for the three dozen riots in the state after Akhilesh Yadav took over as chief minister.’’
 “The SP is known for these kinds of actions – be it a temple or a mosque, they use it as a ‘khilona’ (toy) for their power politics. As far as the reason for the IAS officer’s suspension is concerned, it’s the business of the government. All I know is that they should not drag religion and related institutions into the affairs of routine administration.’’.  “The SP is not alone in the business of using Muslims and their religious institutions for their political interests. The conduct of the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party has been no different.’’

   

Deoband, Nov. 26: A meeting was held in Nawaye Qalam in regard to getting membership of U.P. Urdu Academy for the third term. Dr. Aslam Jamshedpuri of Ch. Charan Singh University, Urdu Department, Meerut, was congratulated and pleasue was expressed on his selection. The founder of Nawaye Qalam, Maulana Naseem Akhtar Shah Qaisar, addressing the meeting said that Dr. Aslam Jamshedpuri is a certified adeeb of Urdu and renowned fiction writer whose books and writings give a feeling of freshness and which express his literary talents. He said that Dr. Aslam Jamshedpuri, President of Urdu department, is performing jobs which are worth while and deserve congratulations. The Maulana said that fact is that on his joining the Meerut University important works in Urdu have been performed and his joining Urdu Academy as member, the Academy has become more functional. The Government has given a positive message that by giving proper posts to the active people it is doing something good for Urdu. The Maulana further said that Urdu festival of four days was held in the Meerut University and meeting Dr. Aslam Jamshedpuri personally it came to light that he is very hardworking, sincere, and has ambition to do something for Urdu. The Maulana said that the style in the program reflects that the famous writers, fiction writers, poets and artists have gathered together at a place because of the talented management of Dr. Aslam. He expressed his hope that Dr. Aslam will prove his presence in the Academy to be functional and active.