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Rabu, 06 Oktober 2010

Imam Muslim

Imam Muslim dilahirkan di Naisabur pada tahun 202 H atau 817 M. Imam Muslim bernama lengkap Imam Abul Husain Muslim bin al-Hajjaj bin Muslim bin Kausyaz al Qusyairi an Naisaburi. Naisabur, yang sekarang ini termasuk wilayah Rusia, dalam sejarah Islam kala itu termasuk dalam sebutan Maa Wara'a an Nahr, artinya daerah-daerah yang terletak di sekitar Sungai Jihun di Uzbekistan, Asia Tengah. Pada masa Dinasti Samanid, Naisabur menjadi pusat pemerintahan dan perdagangan selama lebih kurang 150 tahun. Seperti halnya Baghdad di abad pertengahan, Naisabur, juga Bukhara (kota kelahiran Imam Bukhari) sebagai salah satu kota ilmu dan pusat peradaban di kawasan Asia Tengah. Di sini pula bermukim banyak ulama besar.

Perhatian dan minat Imam Muslim terhadap ilmu hadits memang luar biasa. Sejak usia dini, beliau telah berkonsentrasi mempelajari hadits. Pada tahun 218 H, beliau mulai belajar hadits, ketika usianya kurang dari lima belas tahun. Beruntung, beliau dianugerahi kelebihan berupa ketajaman berfikir dan ingatan hafalan. Ketika berusia sepuluh tahun, Imam Muslim sering datang dan berguru pada seorang ahli hadits, yaitu Imam Ad Dakhili. Setahun kemudian, beliau mulai menghafal hadits Nabi SAW, dan mulai berani mengoreksi kesalahan dari gurunya yang salah menyebutkan periwayatan hadits.

Selain kepada Ad Dakhili, Imam Muslim pun tak segan-segan bertanya kepada banyak ulama di berbagai tempat dan negara. Berpetualang menjadi aktivitas rutin bagi dirinya untuk mencari silsilah dan urutan yang benar sebuah hadits. Beliau, misalnya pergi ke Hijaz, Irak, Syam, Mesir dan negara-negara lainnya. Dalam lawatannya itu, Imam Muslim banyak bertemu dan mengunjungi ulama-ulama kenamaan untuk berguru hadits kepada mereka. Di Khurasan, beliau berguru kepada Yahya bin Yahya dan Ishak bin Rahawaih; di Ray beliau berguru kepada Muhammad bin Mahran dan Abu 'Ansan. Di Irak beliau belajar hadits kepada Ahmad bin Hanbal dan Abdullah bin Maslamah; di Hijaz beliau belajar kepada Sa'id bin Mansur dan Abu Mas 'Abuzar; di Mesir beliau berguru kepada 'Amr bin Sawad dan Harmalah bin Yahya, dan ulama ahli hadits lainnya.

Bagi Imam Muslim, Baghdad memiliki arti tersendiri. Di kota inilah beliau berkali-kali berkunjung untuk belajar kepada ulama-ulama ahli hadits. Kunjungannya yang terakhir beliau lakukan pada tahun 259 H. Ketika Imam Bukhari datang ke Naisabur, Imam Muslim sering mendatanginya untuk bertukar pikiran sekaligus berguru padanya. Saat itu, Imam Bukhari yang memang lebih senior, lebih menguasai ilmu hadits ketimbang dirinya.

Ketika terjadi fitnah atau kesenjangan antara Bukhari dan Az Zihli, beliau bergabung kepada Bukhari. Sayang, hal ini kemudian menjadi sebab terputusnya hubungan dirinya dengan Imam Az Zihli. Yang lebih menyedihkan, hubungan tak baik itu merembet ke masalah ilmu, yakni dalam hal penghimpunan dan periwayatan hadits-hadits Nabi SAW.

Imam Muslim dalam kitab shahihnya maupun kitab-kitab lainnya tidak memasukkan hadits-hadits yang diterima dari Az Zihli, padahal beliau adalah gurunya. Hal serupa juga beliau lakukan terhadap Bukhari. Tampaknya bagi Imam Muslim tak ada pilihan lain kecuali tidak memasukkan ke dalam Kitab Shahihnya hadits-hadits yang diterima dari kedua gurunya itu. Kendatipun demikian, dirinya tetap mengakui mereka sebagai gurunya.

Imam Muslim yang dikenal sangat tawadhu' dan wara' dalam ilmu itu telah meriwayatkan puluhan ribu hadits. Menurut Muhammad Ajaj Al Khatib, guru besar hadits pada Universitas Damaskus, Syria, hadits yang tercantum dalam karya besar Imam Muslim, Shahih Muslim, berjumlah 3.030 hadits tanpa pengulangan. Bila dihitung dengan pengulangan, katanya, berjumlah sekitar 10.000 hadits. Sementara menurut Imam Al Khuli, ulama besar asal Mesir, hadits yang terdapat dalam karya Muslim tersebut berjumlah 4.000 hadits tanpa pengulangan, dan 7.275 dengan pengulangan. Jumlah hadits yang beliau tulis dalam Shahih Muslim itu diambil dan disaring dari sekitar 300.000 hadits yang beliau ketahui. Untuk menyaring hadits-hadits tersebut, Imam Muslim membutuhkan waktu 15 tahun.

Mengenai metode penyusunan hadits, Imam Muslim menerapkan prinsip-prinsip ilmu jarh, dan ta'dil, yakni suatu ilmu yang digunakan untuk menilai cacat tidaknya suatu hadits. Beliau juga menggunakan sighat at tahammul (metode-metode penerimaan riwayat), seperti haddasani (menyampaikan kepada saya), haddasana (menyampaikan kepada kami), akhbarana (mengabarkan kepada saya), akhabarana (mengabarkan kepada kami), dan qaalaa (ia berkata).

Imam Muslim menjadi orang kedua terbaik dalam masalah ilmu hadits (sanad, matan, kritik, dan seleksinya) setelah Imam Bukhari. "Di dunia ini orang yang benar-benar ahli di bidang hadits hanya empat orang; salah satu di antaranya adalah Imam Muslim," komentar ulama besar Abu Quraisy Al Hafizh. Maksud ungkapan itu tak lain adalah ahli-ahli hadits terkemuka yang hidup di masa Abu Quraisy.

Reputasinya mengikuti gurunya Imam Bukhari

Dalam khazanah ilmu-ilmu Islam, khususnya dalam bidang ilmu hadits, nama Imam Muslim begitu monumental, setara dengan gurunya, Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhary al-Ju’fy atau lebih dikenal dengan nama Imam Bukhari. Sejarah Islam sangat berhutang jasa kepadanya, karena prestasinya di bidang ilmu hadits, serta karya ilmiahnya yang luar biasa sebagai rujukan ajaran Islam, setelah al-Qur’an. Dua kitab hadits shahih karya Bukhari dan Muslim sangat berperan dalam standarisasi bagi akurasi akidah, syariah dan tasawwuf dalam dunia Islam.

Melalui karyanya yang sangat berharga, al-Musnad ash-Shahih, atau al-Jami’ ash-Shahih, selain menempati urutan kedua setelah Shahih Bukhari, kitab tersebut memenuhi khazanah pustaka dunia Islam, dan di Indonesia, khususnya di pesantren-pesantren menjadi kurikulum wajib bagi para santri dan mahasiswa.

Pengembaraan (rihlah) dalam pencarian hadits merupakan kekuatan tersendiri, dan amat penting bagi perkembangan intelektualnya. Dalam pengembaraan ini (tahun 220 H), Imam Muslim bertemu dengan guru-gurunya, dimana pertama kali bertemu dengan Qa’nabi dan yang lainnya, ketika menuju kota Makkah dalam rangka perjalanan haji. Perjalanan intelektual lebih serius, barangkali dilakukan tahun 230 H. Dari satu wilayah ke wilayah lainnya, misalnya menuju ke Irak, Syria, Hijaz dan Mesir.

Waktu yang cukup lama dihabiskan bersama gurunya al-Bukhari. Kepada guru besarnya ini, Imam Muslim menaruh hormat yang luar biasa. "Biarkan aku mencium kakimu, hai Imam Muhadditsin dan dokter hadits," pintanya, ketika di sebuah pertemuan antara Bukhari dan Muslim.

Disamping itu, Imam Muslim memang dikenal sebagai tokoh yang sangat ramah, sebagaimana al-Bukhari yang memiliki kehalusan budi bahasa, Imam Muslim juga memiliki reputasi, yang kemudian populer namanya — sebagaimana disebut oleh Adz-Dzahabi — dengan sebutan muhsin dari Naisabur.

Maslamah bin Qasim menegaskan, "Muslim adalah tsaqqat, agung derajatnya dan merupakan salah seorang pemuka (Imam)." Senada pula, ungkapan ahli hadits dan fuqaha’ besar, Imam An-Nawawi, "Para ulama sepakat atas kebesarannya, keimanan, ketinggian martabat, kecerdasan dan kepeloporannya dalam dunia hadits."

Kitab Shahih Muslim

Imam Muslim memiliki jumlah karya yang cukup penting dan banyak. Namun yang paling utama adalah karyanya, Shahih Muslim. Dibanding kitab-kitab hadits shahih lainnya, kitab Shahih Muslim memiliki karakteristik tersendiri, dimana Imam Muslim banyak memberikan perhatian pada ekstraksi yang resmi. Beliau bahkan tidak mencantumkan judul-judul setiap akhir dari satu pokok bahasan. Disamping itu, perhatiannya lebih diarahkan pada mutaba’at dan syawahid.

Walaupun dia memiliki nilai beda dalam metode penyusunan kitab hadits, Imam Muslim sekali-kali tidak bermaksud mengungkap fiqih hadits, namun mengemukakan ilmu-ilmu yang bersanad. Karena beliau meriwayatkan setiap hadits di tempat yang paling layak dengan menghimpun jalur-jalur sanadnya di tempat tersebut. Sementara al-Bukhari memotong-motong suatu hadits di beberapa tempat dan pada setiap tempat beliau sebutkan lagi sanadnya. Sebagai murid yang shalih, beliau sangat menghormati gurunya itu, sehingga beliau menghindari orang-orang yang berselisih pendapat dengan al-Bukhari.

Kitab Shahih Muslim memang dinilai kalangan muhaditsun berada setingkat di bawah al-Bukhari. Namun ada sejumlah ulama yang menilai bahwa kitab Imam Muslim lebih unggul ketimbang kitabnya al-Bukhari.

Sebenarnya kitab Shahih Muslim dipublikasikan untuk Abu Zur’ah, salah seorang kritikus hadits terbesar, yang biasanya memberikan sejumlah catatan mengenai cacatnya hadits. Lantas, Imam Muslim kemudian mengoreksi cacat tersebut dengan membuangnya tanpa argumentasi. Karena Imam Muslim tidak pernah mau membukukan hadits-hadits yang hanya berdasarkan kriteria pribadi semata, dan hanya meriwayatkan hadits yang diterima oleh kalangan ulama. Sehingga hadits-hadits Muslim terasa sangat populis.

Berdasarkan hitungan Muhammad Fuad Abdul Baqi, kitab Shahih Muslim memuat 3.033 hadits. Metode penghitungan ini tidak didasarkan pada sistem isnad sebagaimana dilakukan ahli hadits, namun beliau mendasarkannya pada subyek-subyek. Artinya jika didasarkan isnad, jumlahnya bisa berlipat ganda.

Antara al-Bukhari dan Muslim

Imam Muslim, sebagaimana dikatakan oleh Prof. Mustafa ‘Adzami dalam bukunya Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature, mengambil keuntungan dari Shahih Bukhari, kemudian menyusun karyanya sendiri, yang tentu saja secara metodologis dipengaruhi karya al-Bukhari.

Antara al-Bukhari dan Muslim, dalam dunia hadits memiliki kesetaraan dalam keshahihan hadits, walaupun hadits al-Bukhari dinilai memiliki keunggulan setingkat. Namun, kedua kitab hadits tersebut mendapatkan gelar sebagai as-Shahihain.

Sebenarnya para ulama berbeda pendapat mana yang lebih unggul antara Shahih Muslim dengan Shahih Bukhari. Jumhur Muhadditsun berpendapat, Shahihul Bukhari lebih unggul, sedangkan sejumlah ulama Marokko dan yang lain lebih mengunggulkan Shahih Muslim. Hal ini menunjukkan, sebenarnya perbedaannya sangatlah sedikit, dan walaupun itu terjadi, hanyalah pada sistematika penulisannya saja, serta perbandingan antara tema dan isinya.

Al-Hafizh Ibnu Hajar mengulas kelebihan Shahih Bukhari atas Shahih Muslim, antara lain, karena Al-Bukhari mensyaratkan kepastian bertemunya dua perawi yang secara struktural sebagai guru dan murid dalam hadits Mu’an’an; agar dapat dihukumi bahwa sanadnya bersambung. Sementara Muslim menganggap cukup dengan "kemungkinan" bertemunya kedua rawi tersebut dengan tidak adanya tadlis.

Al-Bukhari mentakhrij hadits yang diterima para perawi tsaqqat derajat utama dari segi hafalan dan keteguhannya. Walaupun juga mengeluarkan hadits dari rawi derajat berikutnya dengan sangat selektif. Sementara Muslim, lebih banyak pada rawi derajat kedua dibanding Bukhari. Disamping itu kritik yang ditujukan kepada perawi jalur Muslim lebih banyak dibanding kepada al-Bukhari.

Sementara pendapat yang berpihak pada keunggulan Shahih Muslim beralasan — sebagaimana dijelaskan Ibnu Hajar —, bahwa Muslim lebih berhati-hati dalam menyusun kata-kata dan redaksinya, karena menyusunnya di negeri sendiri dengan berbagai sumber di masa kehidupan guru-gurunya. Beliau juga tidak membuat kesimpulan dengan memberi judul bab sebagaimana Bukhari lakukan. Dan sejumlah alasan lainnya.

Namun prinsipnya, tidak semua hadits Bukhari lebih shahih ketimbang hadits Muslim dan sebaliknya. Hanya pada umumnya keshahihan hadits riwayat Bukhari itu lebih tinggi derajatnya daripada keshahihan hadits dalam Shahih Muslim.

Karya-karya Imam Muslim

Imam Muslim berhasil menghimpun karya-karyanya, antara lain seperti: 1) Al-Asma’ wal-Kuna, 2) Irfadus Syamiyyin, 3) Al-Arqaam, 4) Al-Intifa bi Juludis Siba’, 5) Auhamul Muhadditsin, 7)At-Tarikh, 8) At-Tamyiz, 9) Al-Jami’, 10) Hadits Amr bin Syu’aib, 11) Rijalul ‘Urwah, 12)Sawalatuh Ahmad bin Hanbal, 13) Thabaqat, 14) Al-I’lal, 15) Al-Mukhadhramin, 16) Al-Musnad al-Kabir, 17) Masyayikh ats-Tsawri, 18) Masyayikh Syu’bah, 19) Masyayikh Malik, 20) Al-Wuhdan, 21) As-Shahih al-Masnad.

Kitab-kitab nomor 6, 20, dan 21 telah dicetak, sementara nomor 1, 11, dan 13 masih dalam bentuk manuskrip. Sedangkan karyanya yang monumental adalah Shahih dari judul singkatnya, yang sebenarnya berjudul, Al-Musnad as-Shahih, al-Mukhtashar minas Sunan, bin-Naqli al-’Adl ‘anil ‘Adl ‘an Rasulillah.

Wafatnya Imam Muslim

Imam Muslim wafat pada Ahad sore, pada tanggal 24 Rajab 261 H. Semoga Allah SWT merahmatinya, mengampuni segala kesalahannya, serta menggolongkannya ke dalam golongan orang-orang yang sholeh. Amiin.

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Imam Al-Bukhari

Buta di masa kecilnya. Keliling dunia mencari ilmu. Menghafal ratusan ribu hadits. Karyanya menjadi rujukan utama setelah Al Qur’an.

Lahir di Bukhara pada bulan Syawal tahun 194 H. Dipanggil dengan Abu Abdillah. Nama lengkap beliau Muhammmad bin Ismail bin Al Mughirah bin Bardizbah Al Bukhari Al Ju’fi. Beliau digelari Al Imam Al Hafizh, dan lebih dikenal dengan sebutan Al Imam Al Bukhari.

Buyut beliau, Al Mughirah, semula beragama Majusi (Zoroaster), kemudian masuk Islam lewat perantaraan gubernur Bukhara yang bernama Al Yaman Al Ju’fi. Sedang ayah beliau, Ismail bin Al Mughirah, seorang tokoh yang tekun dan ulet dalam menuntut ilmu, sempat mendengar ketenaran Al Imam Malik bin Anas dalam bidang keilmuan, pernah berjumpa dengan Hammad bin Zaid, dan pernah berjabatan tangan dengan Abdullah bin Al Mubarak.

Sewaktu kecil Al Imam Al Bukhari buta kedua matanya. Pada suatu malam ibu beliau bermimpi melihat Nabi Ibrahim Al Khalil ‘Alaihissalaam yang mengatakan, “Hai Fulanah (yang beliau maksud adalah ibu Al Imam Al Bukhari, pent), sesungguhnya Allah telah mengembalikan penglihatan kedua mata putramu karena seringnya engkau berdoa”. Ternyata pada pagi harinya sang ibu menyaksikan bahwa Allah telah mengembalikan penglihatan kedua mata putranya.

Ketika berusia sepuluh tahun, Al Imam Al Bukhari mulai menuntut ilmu, beliau melakukan pengembaraan ke Balkh, Naisabur, Rayy, Baghdad, Bashrah, Kufah, Makkah, Mesir, dan Syam. Guru-guru beliau banyak sekali jumlahnya. Di antara mereka yang sangat terkenal adalah Abu ‘Ashim An-Nabiil, Al Anshari, Makki bin Ibrahim, Ubaidaillah bin Musa, Abu Al Mughirah, ‘Abdan bin ‘Utsman, ‘Ali bin Al Hasan bin Syaqiq, Shadaqah bin Al Fadhl, Abdurrahman bin Hammad Asy-Syu’aisi, Muhammad bin ‘Ar’arah, Hajjaj bin Minhaal, Badal bin Al Muhabbir, ‘Abdullah bin Raja’, Khalid bin Makhlad, Thalq bin Ghannaam, Abdurrahman Al Muqri’, Khallad bin Yahya, Abdul ‘Azizi Al Uwaisi, Abu Al Yaman, ‘Ali bin Al Madini, Ishaq bin Rahawaih, Nu’aim bin Hammad, Al Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, dan sederet imam dan ulama ahlul hadits lainnya.

Murid-murid beliau tak terhitung jumlahnya. Di antara mereka yang paling terkenal adalah Al Imam Muslim bin Al Hajjaj An Naisaburi, penyusun kitab Shahih Muslim.

Al Imam Al Bukhari sangat terkenal kecerdasannya dan kekuatan hafalannya. Beliau pernah berkata, “Saya hafal seratus ribu hadits shahih, dan saya juga hafal dua ratus ribu hadits yang tidak shahih”. Pada kesempatan yang lain belau berkata, “Setiap hadits yang saya hafal, pasti dapat saya sebutkan sanad (rangkaian perawi-perawi)-nya”.

Beliau juga pernah ditanya oleh Muhamad bin Abu Hatim Al Warraaq, “Apakah engkau hafal sanad dan matan setiap hadits yang engkau masukkan ke dalam kitab yang engkau susun (maksudnya : kitab Shahih Bukhari -red)?” Beliau menjawab, ”Semua hadits yang saya masukkan ke dalam kitab yang saya susun itu sedikit pun tidak ada yang samar bagi saya”.

Anugerah Allah kepada Al Imam Al Bukhari berupa reputasi di bidang hadits telah mencapai puncaknya. Tidak mengherankan jika para ulama dan para imam yang sezaman dengannya memberikan pujian (rekomendasi) kepada beliau. Berikut ini adalah sederet pujian (rekomendasi) termaksud:

Muhammad bin Abi Hatim berkata, “ Saya mendengar Abu Abdillah (Al Imam Al Bukhari) berkata, “Para sahabat ‘Amr bin ‘Ali Al Fallaas pernah meminta penjelasan kepada saya tentang status (kedudukan) sebuah hadits. Saya katakan kepada mereka, “Saya tidak mengetahui status (kedudukan) hadits tersebut”. Mereka jadi gembira dengan sebab mendengar ucapanku, dan mereka segera bergerak menuju ‘Amr. Lalu mereka menceriterakan peristiwa itu kepada ‘Amr. ‘Amr berkata kepada mereka, “Hadits yang status (kedudukannya) tidak diketahui oleh Muhammad bin Ismail bukanlah hadits”.Al Imam Al Bukhari mempunyai karya besar di bidang hadits yaitu kitab beliau yang diberi judul Al Jami’ atau disebut juga Ash-Shahih atau Shahih Al Bukhari. Para ulama menilai bahwa kitab Shahih Al Bukhari ini merupakan kitab yang paling shahih setelah kitab suci Al Quran.

Ketakwaan dan keshalihan Al Imam Al Bukhari merupakan sisi lain yang tak pantas dilupakan. Berikut ini diketengahkan beberapa pernyataan para ulama tentang ketakwaan dan keshalihan beliau agar dapat dijadikan teladan.

Abu Bakar bin Munir berkata, “Saya mendengar Abu Abdillah Al Bukhari berkata, “Saya berharap bahwa ketika saya berjumpa Allah, saya tidak dihisab dalam keadaan menanggung dosa ghibah (menggunjing orang lain)”.

Abdullah bin Sa’id bin Ja’far berkata, “Saya mendengar para ulama di Bashrah mengatakan, “Tidak pernah kami jumpai di dunia ini orang seperti Muhammad bin Ismail dalam hal ma’rifah (keilmuan) dan keshalihan”.

Sulaim berkata, “Saya tidak pernah melihat dengan mata kepala saya sendiri semenjak enam puluh tahun orang yang lebih dalam pemahamannya tentang ajaran Islam, leblih wara’ (takwa), dan lebih zuhud terhadap dunia daripada Muhammad bin Ismail.”

Al Firabri berkata, “Saya bermimpi melihat Nabi Shallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam di dalam tidur saya”. Beliau Shallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam bertanya kepada saya, “Engkau hendak menuju ke mana?” Saya menjawab, “Hendak menuju ke tempat Muhammad bin Ismail Al Bukhari”. Beliau Shallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam berkata, “Sampaikan salamku kepadanya!”

Al Imam Al Bukhari wafat pada malam Idul Fithri tahun 256 H. ketika beliau mencapai usia enam puluh dua tahun. Jenazah beliau dikuburkan di Khartank, nama sebuah desa di Samarkand. Semoga Allah Ta’ala mencurahkan rahmat-Nya kepada Al Imam Al Bukhari.

____________________________
Maraji’:
Siyar A’laam An-Nubala’ karya Al Imam Adz-Dzahabi
Hadyu As Saari Muqaddimah kitab Fathul Bari karya Al Hafidz Ibnu Hajar Al Atsqalani
Sumber: Majalah As Salam no VI/Tahun II - 2006 M/ 1427 H
Judul asli: "Bayi Ajaib Dari Bukhara"

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Kisah Imam Syafi'i Rah.a

Imam Syafi'i rah.a. berkata bahwa ia sangat mencintai Syekh Hammad bin Abi Sulaiman rah.a. --guru Imam Abu Hanifah rah.a.-- sejak ia mengetahui suatu kejadian pada dirinya. Pada suatu hari, Hammad rah.a. sedang mengendarai seekor keledai. Ketika ia menendang hewan itu dan mulai berlari lebih kencang, sebuah kancing jubahnya terlepas karena sentakan yang tiba-tiba. Dalam perjalanan itu, ia melihat sebuah toko penjahit. Maka ia meminta penjahit itu untuk menjahitkan kancingnya. Baru saja ia akan turun dari keledainya, penjahit itu berkata bahwa ia tidak perlu turun, dan sambil berdiri ia menjahitkan kancing itu di jubahnya. Sebagai upahnya, Hammad rah.a. memberikan sekantung uang berisi sepuluh dinar dan ia memohon maaf karena memberikan upah yang kurang dari haknya. (Ithaf).

All teks diambil dari:
Kisah-kisah Ahli Zuhud dan Para Dermawan Kisah Ke-27
Fadhilah Sedekah :
Syekhul Hadist Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Al- Kandahlawi rah.a.

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Selasa, 05 Oktober 2010

Sheikh Maulana Ilyas Al-Kandahlawi

Penggagas Jamaah Tabligh

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Al-Kandahlawy lahir pada tahun 1303 H (1886) di desa Kandahlah di kawasan Muzhafar Nagar, Utar Prades, India. Ayahnya bernama Syaikh Ismail dan Ibunya bernama Shafiyah Al-Hafidzah. Keluarga Maulana Muhammad Ilyas terkenal sebagai gudang ilmu agama. Saudaranya antara lain Maulana Muhammad yang tertua, dan Maulana Muhammad Yahya.

Ayah beliau, Syaikh Muhammad Ismail adalah seorang ruhaniwan besar yang suka menjalani hidup dengan ber-uzhlah, berkhalwat dan beribadah, membaca Alquran serta mengajarkan Alquran dan ilmu-ilmu agama. Adapun ibunda beliau, Shafiyah Al-Hafidzah, adalah seorang Hafidzah Alquran. Maulana Muhammad Ilyas pertama kali belajar agama pada kakeknya, Syaikh Muhammad Yahya. Beliau adalah seorang guru agama pada madrasah di kota kelahirannya. Kakeknya adalah penganut mazhab Hanafi dan teman dari seorang ulama dan penulis Islam terkenal, Syaikh Abul Hasan Al-Hasani An-Nadwi. Sejak saat itulah beliau mulai menghafal Alquran. Dari kecil telah tampak ruh dan semangat agama dalam dirinya. Beliau memilki kerisauan terhadap umat, agama dan dakwah. Sehingga Allamah Asy-Syaikh Mahmud Hasan yang dikenal sebagai Syaikhul Hind (guru besar ilmu Hadis pada madrasah Darul Ulum Deoband) pernah mengatakan, “sesungguhnya apabila aku melihat Maulana Ilyas aku teringat kisah perjuangan para sahabat.”

Pada suatu ketika saudaranya, Maulana Muhammad Yahya, pergi belajar kepada seorang alim besar dan pembaru yang ternama yakni Syaikh Rasyid Ahmad Al-Gangohi, di desa Gangoh, Utar Pradesh, India. Maulana Muhammad Yahya belajar membersihkan diri dan menyerap ilmu dengan bimbingan Syaikh Rasyid. Hal ini membuat Maulana Muhammad Ilyas tertarik untuk belajar pada Syaikh Rasyid sebagaimana kakaknya. Akhirnya Maulana Ilyas memutuskan untuk belajar agama menyertai kakaknya di Gangoh. Akan tetapi selama tinggal dan belajar di sana Maulana Ilyas selalu menderita sakit. Sakit ini ditanggungnya selama bertahun-tahun lamanya. Tabib Ustadz Mahmud Ahmad putra dari Syaikh Gangohi sendiri telah memberikan pengobatan dan perawatan pada beliau. Sakit yang dideritanya menyebabkan kegiatan belajarnya pun menurun, akan tetapi beliau tidak berputus asa. Banyak yang menyarankan agar beliau berhenti belajar untuk sementara waktu, tapi beliau menjawab, “apa gunanya aku hidup jika dalam kebodohan”.

Dengan izin Allah SWT, Maulana pun menyelesaikan pelajaran Hadis Syarif, Jami’at Tirmidzi dan Shahih Bukhari. Dan dalam jangka waktu empat bulan beliau sudah menyelesaikan Kutubus Sittah. Tubuhnya yang sering terserang sakit semakin membuat beliau bersemangat dalam menuntut ilmu. Begitu pula kerisauannya bertambah besar terhadap keadaan umat yang jauh dari syari’at Islam. Beliau akhirnya berkenalan dengan Syaikh Khalid Ahmad As-Sharanpuri penulis kitab Bajhul Majhud Fi Hilli Alfazhi Abi Dawud dan berguru kepadanya. Semakin bertambah ilmu yang dimiliki membuat beliau semakin tawaddu’ serta dihormati di kalangan para ulama dan masyaikh. Suatu ketika di Kandhla ada sebuah pertemuan yang dihadiri oleh ulama-ulama besar. Di antaranya terdapat nama Syaikh Abdurrahman Ar-Raipuri, Syaikh Khalil Ahmad As-Sharanpuri dan Syaikh Asyraf Ali At-Tanwi. Waktu itu tiba waktu shalat Ashar. Mereka meminta Maulana Ilyas untuk mengimami shalat tersebut. Setelah kematian kakaknya, Maulana Muhammad Yahya, pada 9 Agustus 1925, orang ramai meminta kepada Maulana Ilyas untuk menggantikan kakaknya di Nizamuddin. Waktu itu beliau sedang menjadi salah seorang pengajar di Madrasah Mazhahirul Ulum. Akhirnya, setelah mendapat izin dari Maulana Khalil Ahmad dengan pertimbangan jika tinggalnya di Nizamuddin membawa manfaat maka Maulana Ilyas diberi kesempatan untuk berhenti mengajar.

Beliau akhirnya pergi ke Nizamuddin, ke madarasah warisan ayahnya yang kosong akibat lama tidak dihuni. Dengan semangat mengajar yang tinggi beliau membuka kembali madrasah tersebut. Semangat yang tinggi untuk memajukan agama, beliau pun mendirikan Maktab di Mewat. Namun kondisi geografis yang agraris menyebabkan masyarakatnya lebih menyukai anak-anak mereka pergi ke kebun atau ke sawah daripada ke Madrasah atau Maktab untuk belajar agama, membaca atau menulis. Maulana Ilyas dengan terpaksa meminta orang Mewat untuk menyiapkan anak-anak mereka untuk belajar dengan biaya yang ditanggung oleh Maulana sendiri. Besarnya pengorbanan Maulana hanya untuk memajukan pendidikan agama bagi masyarakat tidak mendapatkan perhatian. Mereka enggan menuntut ilmu dan lebih senang hidup dalam kondisi yang sudah dijalani turun temurun. Melihat keadaan Mewat itu, semakin menambah kerisauan beliau akan keadaan umat Islam. Kunjungan-kunjungan diadakan bahkan madrasah-madrasah banyak didirikan, tetapi hal itu belum dapat mengatasi permasalahan yang dihadapi masyarakat Mewat. Dengan izin Allah timbullah keinginannya untuk mengirimkan jamaah dakwah ke Mewat.

Pada tahun 1351 H/1931 M, beliau menunaikan haji yang ketiga ke Tanah Suci Makkah. Kesempatan tersebut dipergunakan untuk menemui tokoh-tokoh India yang ada di Arab guna mengenalkan usaha dakwah. Selama di Makkah, jamaah bergerak setiap hari sejak pagi sampai petang, usaha dakwah terus dilakukan untuk mengajak orang taat kepada perintah Allah. Dalam pandangan Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, dakwah merupakan kewajiban umat Nabi Muhammad SAW. Pada prinsipnya setiap orang yang mengaku mengikuti ajaran Nabi Muhammad memiliki kewajiban mendakwahkan ajarannya, yaitu agar selalu taat kepada Allah dengan cara yang telah dicontohkan Rasulullah. Sepulang dari haji, Maulana mengadakan dua kunjungan ke Mewat, masing-masing disertai jamaah dengan jumlah sekitar seratus orang. Dalam kunjungan tersebut beliau selalu membentuk jamaah-jamaah yang dikirim ke kampung-kampung untuk ber-jaulah (berkeliling dari rumah ke rumah) guna menyampaikan pentingnya agama. Beliau sepenuhnya yakin bahwa kebodohan, kelalaian serta hilangnya semangat agama dan jiwa keislaman itulah yang menjadi sumber kerusakan. Dari Mewat inilah secara berangsur-angsur usaha tabligh meluas ke Delhi, United Province, Punjab, Khurja, Aligarh, Agra, Bulandshar, Meerut, Panipat, Sonepat, Karnal, Rohtak dan daerah lainnya. Begitu juga di bandar-bandar pelabuhan banyak jamaah yang tinggal dan terus bergerak menuju tempat-tempat yang ditargetkan sepeti halnya daerah Asia Barat. Terbentuknya jamaah ini adalah dengan izin Allah melalui kerisauan seorang Maulana Muhammad Ilyas. Kemudian menyebarlah jamaah-jamaah tabligh yang membawa misi ganda yaitu ishlah diri (perbaikan diri sendiri) dan mendakwahkan kebesaran Allah SWT kepada seluruh umat manusia. Perkembangan jamaah ini semakin hari semakin tampak. Gerakan jamaah tidak hanya tersebar di India tetapi sedikit demi sedikit telah menyebar ke barbagai negara. Hanya kekuasaan Allah yang dapat memakmurkan dan membesarkan usaha ini.

Pada hari terakhir dalam sejarah hidupnya, Maulana mengirim utusan kepada Syaikhul Hadits Maulana Zakariya, Maulana Abdul Qodir Raipuri, dan Maulana Zafar Ahmad, bahwa beliau akan mengamanahkan kepercayaan sebagai amir jamaah kepada sahabat-sahabatnya seperti Hafidz Maqbul Hasan, Qozi Dawud, Mulvi Ihtisamul Hasan, Mulvi Muhammad Yusuf, Mulvi Inamul Hasan, Mulvi Sayyid Raza Hasan. Pada saat itu terpilihlah Mulvi Muhammad Yusuf sebagai pengganti Maulana Muhammad Ilyas dalam memimpin usaha dakwah dan tabligh. Pada sekitar bulan Juli 1944 beliau jatuh sakit yang cukup parah. Kondisi tubuhnya yang lemah merupakan bukti bahwa beliau bersungguh-sungguh menghabiskan waktu mengembara dari satu tempat ke tempat lain bersama dengan jamaah untuk mendakwahkan kebesaran Allah. Akhirnya Maulana menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya, beliau pulang ke rahmatullah sebelum adzan Shubuh.

Beliau tidak banyak meninggalkan karya-karya tulisan tentang kerisauannya akan keadaan umat. Buah pikiran beliau dituang dalam lembar-lembar kertas surat yang dihimpun oleh Maulana Manzoor Nu’mani dengan judul Aur Un Ki Deeni Dawat yang ditujukan kepada para ulama dan seluruh umat Islam yang mengambil usaha dakwah ini.

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Sheikh Al-Hadith Muhammad Zakaria Alkandahlawi

Shaykh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi

Sumber: http://www.whitethreadpress.com/authors/shaykh_zakariyya.htm

In the last century, India has undoubtedly become an important center for the study of hadith, and the scholars of India have become well-known for their passion for religious knowledge. Upon them ended the era of leadership in teaching hadiths, codification of the special fields (funun) of hadith, and commentary upon its texts (mutun). Such was their mastery of this science that Muhammad Rashid Rida mentions in the introduction of his book Miftah Kunuz al-Sunna, “Were it not for the superb attention to detail in the science of hadith displayed by our brothers, the scholars of India in the present era, this science would have withered away in the eastern cities. And, indeed, mastery of this science has been waning in Egypt and Syria since the tenth century ah.” There is no doubt that Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya was among the most distinguished hadith scholars of India and a great contributor in service of the Sunna. He was given the honorary title of Shaykh al-Hadith, or “Great Scholar of Hadith,” by his teacher, Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri, who recognized his deep insight, clear-sightedness, and extensive knowledge of hadith and related sciences.

Lineage and Upbringing

He was born in the village of Kandhla (in Uttar Pradesh, India) on Ramadan 10, 1315 ah (February 12, 1898 CE). His full name was Muhammad Zakariyya ibn Muhammad Yahya ibn Muhammad Isma‘il, and his lineage continues all the way back to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), the great Companion of the Messenger (upon him be peace).

Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan Nadwi said about him, “Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya was born into a household rooted in knowledge and passion for Islam. His immediate family and his predecessors were distinguished by firm resolve, perseverance, steadfastness, and adherence to religion…. His family included many notable scholars … and his grandmother memorized the entire Qur’an while nursing her son [Shaykh Zakariyya's father].”

His father, Shaykh Muhammad Yahya, was among the great scholars of India in both the Related (manqulat) and Logical sciences (ma‘qulat). His primary teacher in hadith was Shaykh Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. Under him he studied Sahih al-Bukhari, Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and others of the six famous authentic books of hadith (Sihah sitta). Shaykh Yahya went on to teach at Madrasa Mazahir ‘Ulum, in the district of Saharanpur, but did not accept any payment for his services. He instead made his living through his own book-publishing business.

As a young boy, Shaykh Zakariyya moved with his father to the village of Gangoh, in the district of Saharanpur. Since his father and Shaykh Gangohi had a close relationship, Shaykh Zakariyya quickly earned the affection of his father’s teacher.

Growing up in this virtuous environment, he began learning how to read with Hakim ‘Abd al-Rahman of Muzaffarnagar. He memorized the Qur’an with his father and also studied books in Persian and the introductory Arabic books with his uncle Shaykh Muhammad Ilyas (founder of the Tabligh movement). He stayed with his father in the company of Shaykh Gangohi until age eight, when the shaykh passed away. Shaykh Abu al-Hasan Nadwi says, “He was brought up in the best of environments in this era; the most adhering to the conduct and the sunna and the furthest from the corruption that had begun to spread in the world.

At the age of twelve, Shaykh Zakariyya traveled with his father to Mazahir ‘Ulum. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Yahya [his father] bathed and performed two rak’ats of prayer and began teaching Mishkat al-Masabih. He then made a lengthy prayer for himself and his son. From that day on, hadith became the main focus and goal of Shaykh Zakariyya’s life. There, under his father, he advanced his study of Arabic, tackling many classical texts on Arabic morphology, grammar, literature, and also logic. But by the time he was seventeen, hadith became the main focus of his life. He studied five of the six authentic books of hadith with his father, and then he studied Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan al-Tirmidhi (for a second time) with the honorable Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri. Out of his immense respect for h adith, Shaykh Zakariyya was extremely particular about always studying the hadith narrations with wudu’.

On Dhu ‘l-Qa‘da 10, 1334 ah, when Shaykh Zakariyya was just nineteen, his dear father passed away. This event was extremely traumatic for Shaykh Zakariyya, as he lost not only a father but also a teacher and mentor. His deep sorrow remained with him for the rest of his life.

Teachers

Shaykh Zakariyya was blessed to live and learn in an era considered by many to be one of great achievements in Islamic knowledge by scholars in the Indian subcontinent. He studied with few but select teachers who reached the highest levels of learning, research, authorship, and piety. One of his most influential teachers was his own father, Shaykh Muhammad Yahya, born in 1287 ah. Shaykh Zakariyya memorized the Qur’an at the age of seven, then as per his father’s instruction he would recite the whole Qur’an each morning. In addition to his father and uncle (Shaykh Muhammad Ilyas), he studied under the hadith scholar Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri, author of the Badhl al-Majhud, a commentary on Sunan Abi Dawud. Shaykh Zakariyya acquired a hadith authorization from him and remained his student until Shaykh Khalil’s death in Madina Munawwara in 1346 ah.

Before his death, Shaykh Khalil A h mad expressed his desire to write Badhl al-Majhud, and he sought Shaykh Zakariyya’s assistance as his right-hand man. This was the beginning of his good fortune and the route to his excellence. His work earned him a special position with his Shaykh. The shaykh would direct him towards the possible texts and religious sources from which he could take the subject matter. Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya would collect the information and present them to his Shaykh, who would then select from the collection whatever he required. Thereafter he would dictate it to Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya who would write it down. This is how the completion of Badhl al-Majhud fi hall Abi Dawud took place. This experience revealed Shaykh Zakariyya’s gift of penmanship and, furthermore, expanded his insight in the science of hadith. He worked hard on the project, He undertook the task of publishing his shayk’s work in the Indian press and devoted his attention to its correction, publishing it with complete sincerity. He attained the pleasure and trust of his shaykh, He became a successor (khalifa) and representative (na’ib) of his shaykh and was even mentioned by name in the commentary.

Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri mentions in the introduction of Badhl al-Majhud, “I was helped by some of my friends, notable amongst whom is my relative and the coolness of my eyes and heart, Hajj Hafiz Molwi Muhammad Zakariyya ibn Mawlana Hafiz Molwi Muhammad Yahya Kandhlawi (may Allah have mercy on him). I was incapable of writing or pursuing it (without his help), due to the shaking of my hand and due to weakness in mind and vision. I would dictate to him and he would write. He would search for the difficult subject matter from the sources, thus facilitating the dictation for me. I thank Allah for his effort and ask Him to grant him the best reward for whatever he spent of his effort. Allah has gifted him with intrinsic and apparent knowledge, beneficial in this world and in the hereafter, and with accepted, illuminated, good deeds.”

This indeed opened the door to Shaykh Zakariyya’s authoring many literary works and treatises over the course of his life.

Teaching Career

In Muharram 1335 ah he was appointed as a teacher at Madrasa Mazahir ‘Ulum, where he was assigned to teach books on Arabic grammar, morphology, and literature, as well as a number of primary texts of Islamic jurisprudence. In 1341 ah he was assigned to teach three sections of Sahih al-Bukhari upon the insistence of Shaykh Khalil Ahmad. He also taught Mishkat al-Masabih until 1344 ah. Shaykh Abu al-Hasan Nadwi said, “Although he was one of the youngest teachers at the school, he was selected to teach works generally not assigned to those of his age, nor to anyone in the early stages of his teaching career. Nevertheless, he showed that he was not only an able, but an exceptional teacher.”

In 1345 ah he traveled to Madina Munawwara, the city of Allah’s Messenger (upon him be peace) where he resided for one year. There he taught Sunan Abi Dawud at Madrasa al-‘Ulum al-Shar‘iyya. While in Madina, he began working on Awjaz al-Masalik ila Muwatta’ Imam Malik, a commentary on Imam Malik’s Muwatta’. He was twenty-nine at the time.

When he returned to India, he resumed teaching at Mazahir ‘Ulum. He began teaching Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al-Nasa‘i, the Muwatta’ of Imam Muhammad, and the second half of Sahih al-Bukhari. The school’s principle taught the first half of Sahih al-Bukhari, and after his death, Shaykh Zakariyya was given the honor of teaching the entire work.

In all, he taught the first half of Sahih al-Bukhari twenty-five times, the complete Sahih al-Bukhari sixteen times, and Sunan Abi Dawud thirty times. He did not just teach hadith as a matter of routine; the work of hadith had become his passion, and he put his heart and soul into it. Shaykh Zakariyya taught until 1388 ah, when he was forced to give up teaching after developing eye cataracts.

Travels to the Two Holy Cities

Allah Most High blessed him with the opportunity to visit the two holy cities of Makka and Madina. He performed hajj several times, and his multiple trips had a profound personal effect on him, both spiritually and educationally. He made the blessed journey with Shaykh Khalil Ahmad in 1338 ah. During the trip, Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri discovered that there was a manuscript of Musnad Abdul Razzaq, which he intended to purchase but the seller was asking for an exorbitant price and Shaykh Khalil Ahmad, not having the required amount, was unable to purchase it. When Shaykh Zakariyya learned of this, he asked to borrow the manuscript from the bookseller. Knowing that he had only ten days left until his return to India (not nearly enough time for them to transcribe it) the seller gave it to him. Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya took the manuscript and began copying it with the help of some of his acquaintances. In ten days, they finished copying the entire manuscript and also proofread it completely (before returning the original). Shaykh Saharanpuri was surprised by the high aspirations (himma) of his student, his discernment (nabaha), and his effort, and prayed on his behalf.

He traveled with the shaykh again in 1344. It was during the second trip that Shaykh Khalil completed Badhl al-Majhud; he died shortly thereafter and was buried in the Baqi‘ graveyard in Madina. May Allah have mercy on him and put light in his grave.

Sincere Love for Allah and the Prophet

Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya inherited piety, honesty, and good character from his father (may Allah be pleased with him). He aspired to follow the Qur’an and Sunna in all matters, big and small, with a passion not found in many scholars. He had extreme love for the Prophet (upon him be peace) and the blessed city of Madina. His students have related that whenever the death of the Messenger (upon him be peace) was mentioned during a lecture on Sunan Abi Dawud or Sahih al-Bukhari, his eyes would well up with tears, his voice would choke up, and he would be overcome with crying. So evocative were his tears that his students could do nothing but weep with raised voices.

He was often tested with regard to his sincerity. He was offered many teaching jobs at two or three times the salary that was customarily given at Mazahir ‘Ulum, but he always graciously declined the offers. For most of his teaching career, Shaykh Zakariyya never accepted any money for his services at Mazahir ‘Ulum; he did the work voluntarily, seeking Allah’s pleasure. Although he did accept a small salary at the beginning of his career, he later totaled up the amount and paid it back in its entirety.

Household

Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya married twice. He first married the daughter of Shaykh Ra’uf al-Hasan in Kandhla. She passed away on Dhu ‘l- Hijja 5, 1355 ah. He then married the daughter of Shaykh Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi in 1356 ah. Allah blessed him with five daughters and three sons from his first wife, and two daughters and one son from his second marriage.

Daily Routine

Shaykh Zakariyya organized his time meticulously. He would rise an hour before dawn and occupy himself in tahajjud and recitation of Qur’an before performing the Fajr prayer in the masjid. After Fajr, he would read his morning supplications and litany until sunrise. Thereafter he would go to meet with some people and drink tea (but never ate anything with it). He would then return to his quarters to read. During this time he would also research and compile his literary works, and, with few exceptions, no one was allowed to visit him at this time. When it was time for lunch he would come out and sit with his guests, who were from all walks of life; he would respect and treat them well, irrespective of who they were. After Zuhr prayer, he would take a siesta and then spend some time listening to his correspondence (which amounted to around forty or fifty letters daily from different places) and dictating replies. He also taught for two hours before ‘Asr. After ‘Asr, he would sit with a large group of people, offering them tea. After performing Maghrib, he would remain devoted in solitude to optional prayer and to supplication. He did not take an evening meal except to entertain an important guest.

Personality and Appearance

Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi says about his characteristics, “He was of medium height, heavyset, good-looking, with a fair, rosy complexion, as though pomegranate seeds had burst unto both his cheeks. “He was extremely vibrant, never lazy; light-hearted, smiling, cheerful, friendly; and he often jested with his close friends and acquaintances. We saw in him good character and forbearance with people, as well as a rare humility; and above all, his personal qualities were always governed by his deep faith and sense of contentment.”

Death

He had always hoped to meet Allah while in the city of the Messenger (upon him be peace); Allah granted his wish. He died there on Monday Sha‘ban 1, 1402 ah (May 24, 1982 CE) and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi‘, in the company of the Companions and the noble family members of the Messenger (upon him be peace). His funeral procession was followed by a large number of people and he was buried in the Baqi‘ graveyard next to his teacher Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri. May Allah forgive him, grant mercy, and elevate his status. Amin.

Scholars’ Praise of Him

Many scholars, both Arab and non-Arab, have praised him and recognized his knowledge and excellence. ‘Allama Muhammad Yusuf Binnori relates,

Indeed there are some remnants of the scholars of past generations living today among the scholars of today’s generation. They have been guided to praiseworthy efforts in multiple religious sciences, such as jurisprudence; they are on par with the previous generations in their knowledge, excellence, fear of Allah, and piety; they stir up memories of the blessed golden age of scholarship. Among these scholars is a unique figure envied for his excellence in knowledge and action, the author of outstanding, beneficial works and of beautiful, superb commentaries: Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi Saharanpuri.

Shaykh Sa‘id Ahmad, the head of Islamic studies at the University of Aligarh, UP, relates,

It is evident to one who takes a look at his works that he had a brilliancy, both in knowledge and with the pen, like that of Ibn al-Jawzi and Imam Ghazali. Of the scholars of his era, I know of no one comparable to him in this regard, except Imam ‘Abd al-Hayy al-Farangi Mahalli (of Lucknow).

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghudda said regarding him,

“The Shaykh, the Imam, the honorable, the Jurist, the scholar, the noble, the fragrant flower and sweet basil of India and Hijaz (Rayhanat al-Hind wa’l-Hijaz), the exponent of spiritual realities (haqiqa) and allusions (majaz), our leader, and our blessing.”

Doctor Sayyid Muhammad Ibn ‘Alawi al-Maliki relates,

“His Moral excellence (Sahib al-Fadila), the hadith scholar, the remnant of the predecessors and adornment of the successors, the blessed Imam, caller to Allah, my leader (sayyidi) and my teacher: Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya.”

The hadith scholar, Hafiz al-Tijani portrayed him in the following words:

“The scholar of hadith, most erudite of the honorable, (Hadrat ‘Allama), Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhelwi, most erudite, the outstanding (fadil), the meticulous, the inquirer (muhaqqiq).”

‘Allama Sayyid Sulayman Nadwi mentioned upon his trip to Hijaz,

“In the 1369 ah, I met the honorable Shaykh Sayyid ‘Alawi al-Maliki, who was praising the work Awjaz al-masalik and its author. He was saying, “There is no literary work comparable to this in the works of the predecessors (mutaqaddimin).”

Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi relates that Shaykh ‘Alawi al-Maliki said,

When he reports the ruling and evidences of the Maliki school [in his writings], we Malikis are astonished at the accuracy and integrity of the report…. If the author had not mentioned in the introduction of [his] book that he was a Hanafi, I would not have known that he was Hanafi, but would have definitely concluded that he was a Maliki, since in his Awjaz he cites by-laws and derivatives of the Maliki school from their books that even we have a hard time obtaining.

Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Nadwi relates of him that the hadith was not only a profession or a science for him, but a desire and a state in which he lived and lived for.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Wahhab ‘Abd al-Latif said,

“He was the author of the work Awjaz al-masalik, in six volumes. In it is contained a great deal of effort in compiling, and an extent of reporting from the books of hadith and jurisprudence which has made the compiler deserving of praise.”

Students

Shaykh Zakariyya had numerous students who spread around the world and continue, to this day, to serve Islam, particularly establishing traditional Islamic schools in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, England, Canada, America, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and other countries. Some of his more prominent students in the field of hadith were Mu h addith Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi (d. 1384 ah), author of Amani ‘l-Ahbar Sharh Ibn Ma‘ani ‘l-Athar, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Jabbar A’zami, author of Imdad al-Bari (Urdu commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari) , and Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi (d. 1417 ah). Many other scholars and students also acquired authorizations in hadith from him, including Dr. Mustafa’ al-Siba‘i, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghudda, Dr. Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki, and Shaykh Muhammad Taha al-Barakati.

Written Works

Shaykh Zakariyya wrote many works both in Arabic and Urdu. A number of them treat specialized subjects intended for scholars, and the rest have been written for the general public. His works demonstrate his deep knowledge and intelligence; his ability to understand the issue at hand, research it thoroughly, and present a complete, clear and comprehensive discussion; his moderation, humility (as can be seen from the preface of this book), patience, and attention to detail. His respect and awe for the pious predecessors are evident in his works, even when he disagrees with their opinions on any particular aspect.

His first written work was a three-volume commentary of the Alfiyya Ibn Malik (on Arabic grammar), which he wrote as a student when he was only thirteen. His written works amount to over one hundred. He did not withhold any rights to his works and made it publicly known that he only published his works for the sake of Allah’s pleasure. Whoever wished to publish them was permitted to, on the condition that they were left unaltered and their accuracy maintained.

Hence, his books have gained overwhelming acceptance throughout the world, so much so that his work Fada’il al-Qur’an (Virtues of the Qur’an) has been translated into eleven languages, Fada’il Ramadan (Virtues of Ramadan) into twelve languages, and Fada’il al-Salat (Virtues of Prayer) into fifteen languages. He wrote four books on Qur’an commentary (tafsir) and proper recitation (tajwid), forty-four books on hadith and its related sciences, six books on jurisprudence (fiqh) and its related sciences, twenty-four historical and biographical books, four books on Islamic creed (aqida), twelve books on abstinence (zuhd) and heart-softening accounts (riqaq), three books in Arabic grammar and logic, and six books on modern-day groups and movements.

Some of His Hadith Works

One can find a complete list and description of his books in the various biographies written on him. Here is a brief description of a few of his more popular works on hadith:

Awjaz al-Masalik ila Muwatta’ Imam Malik: One of the most comprehensive commentaries on the Muwatta’ of Imam Malik in terms of the science of hadith, jurisprudence, and hadith explication. Shaykh Zakariyya provides the summaries of many other commentaries in a clear, intellectual, and scholarly way, dealing with the various opinions on each issue, mentioning the differences of opinions among the various scholars, and comparing their evidences. This commentary, written in Arabic, has won great acclaim from a number of Maliki scholars.

Lami‘ al-Dirari ‘ ala Jami‘ ‘l-Bukhari: Written in Arabic, a collection of the unique remarks and observations on Sahih al-Bukhari presented by Shaykh Rashid Ahmad Gangohi . These life-long acquired wisdoms were recorded by his student Shaykh Yahya Kandhlawi (Shaykh Zakariyya’s father) during their lessons. Shaykh Zakariyya edited, arranged, and commented on his father’s compilation, clarifying the text and adding a comprehensive introduction at the beginning.

Al-Abwab wa ‘l-Tarajim li ‘l-Bukhari: An explanation of the chapter headings of Imam Bukhari’s Sahih al-Bukhari. Assigning chapter headings in a hadith collection is a science in itself, known among the scholars as al-abwab wa ‘l-tarajim (chapters and explanations). In it, the compiler explains the reasons for the chapter heading and the connections between the chapter headings and the hadiths quoted therein. It is well known that the commentators of Sahih al-Bukhari have paid special attention to the titles therein, in tune with the Arabic saying: “The fiqh of Bukhari is in his chapter headings” ( fiqh al-Bukhari fi tarajimihi). Shaykh Zakariyya not only quotes and compiles what has been mentioned by other scholars like Shah Wali Allah al-Dehlawi and Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, but also correlates and clarifies these opinions and presents findings from his own research in many instances.

Juz’ Hajjat al-Wida‘ wa ‘ Umrat al-Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) : A comprehensive Arabic commentary on the detailed accounts of the pilgrimage (hajj) of Allah’s Messenger (upon him be peace) . It includes the details of any juridical discussions on the various aspects of pilgrimage, giving the locations, modern-day names, and other details of the places the Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) passed by or stayed at.

Khasa’il Nabawi Sharh Shama’il al-Tirmidhi: Composed in Urdu, a commentary on Imam Tirmidhi’s renowned work Al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyya, a collection of hadiths detailing the characteristics of the Messenger (upon him be peace) . This commentary explains the various aspects related to the different characteristics and practices of Allah’s Messenger (upon him be peace). It has been translated into English and is widely available.

[Adapted from the Arabic biography on Shaykh Zakariyya Kandhlawi by Wali 'l-Din Nadwi]
http://usahadawah.com/2008/09/27/shaykh-al-hadith-muhammad-zakariyya-kandhlawi/

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