Ashraf Ali Thanwi facts for kids

Ashraf Ali Thanwi (born August 19, 1863, died July 20, 1943) was a very important Islamic scholar. People often called him Hakimul Ummat (Wise Leader of the Muslim Nation) and Mujaddidul Millat (Reviver of the Muslim Nation). He lived in the Indian subcontinent during the time of British rule.

Thanwi was a Sunni scholar, a jurist (someone who studies law), and a reformist. He helped bring back classical Sufism (a spiritual side of Islam). He was also a key supporter of the Pakistan Movement, which led to the creation of Pakistan. He had a big impact on Islamic spiritual and intellectual life in South Asia.

He wrote many books, over a thousand in total! Two of his most famous works are Bayan Ul Quran and Bahishti Zewar. He finished his studies at Darul Uloom Deoband in 1883. Later, he moved to Thana Bhawan, where he lived and taught for the rest of his life. His deep knowledge of the Quran, Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad), Fiqh (Islamic law), and Sufism made him a leading authority among scholars.

His Ideas and Beliefs

Ashraf Ali Thanwi strongly supported the Muslim League. This group worked to create a separate country for Muslims. He often wrote letters to the leaders of the Muslim League, including Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He even sent groups of scholars to give religious advice to Jinnah.

His students, like Zafar Ahmad Usmani and Shabbir Ahmad Usmani, were also very important in getting religious support for the idea of Pakistan. During the 1940s, many Islamic scholars supported the Indian National Congress, which wanted a united India. But Thanwi and some other leading scholars, like Muhammad Shafi Deobandi, were in favor of the Muslim League.

Thanwi even left the management committee of Darul Uloom Deoband. This was because the school supported the Congress party. The Muslim League really appreciated his support and the support of his students for the Pakistan Movement.

His Books and Contributions

Ashraf Ali Thanwi lived a very busy life. He spent his time teaching, preaching, writing, and giving lectures. He lived during a time when Muslims faced many challenges from Western powers and other groups. He started writing when he was young, even writing a poem in Persian at age eighteen.

For fourteen years, he taught at a school in Kanpur. There, he taught, wrote, gave sermons, and issued fatwas (religious opinions). He was greatly inspired by another scholar named Rashid Ahmad Gangohi.

Most of his books are in Urdu, Arabic, and Persian. He wrote on almost every topic in Islam. It is said that he wrote nearly one thousand books! He never earned any money from his books. Anyone could print them. Millions of people learned from his books and lectures.

His sermons were often written down as he gave them. Then, they were published for people to read. These sermons explained Islamic rules, warned against new practices, and discussed interesting topics. While many lectures were about Islamic worship, he also talked about good manners, daily life, and how to behave.

Here are some of his major works:

• Bayan Ul Quran: This is a three-volume tafsir (an explanation or commentary) of the Quran. It was first published in 1908.
• Bahishti Zewar: This is a complete guide to fiqh (Islamic law), Islamic practices, and good morals. It was especially written to educate girls and women. It explains the Five Pillars of Islam and other important principles. This book has been very popular among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent and around the world for many years.
• Imdad al-Fatawa: This book is a collection of Thanwi's fatwas (religious opinions). It is a detailed guide to Hanafi Fiqh, containing well-researched fatwas and discussions on legal matters.
• Nashr al-Tib fi Zikr-un-Nabi Al Habib Sallalahu 'alaihi Wa Salam: Thanwi wrote this book about the Prophetic biography (the life of Prophet Muhammad) between 1911 and 1912. In its 41 chapters, he shows great respect for the Prophet. He describes the Prophet as a blessing for the entire universe.

His Influence and Legacy

Ashraf Ali Thanwi trained about 1000 students. He gave them permission to guide others, and they spread his teachings far and wide. Some of his famous students include Sulaiman Nadvi, Shabbir Ahmad Usmani, Zafar Ahmad Usmani, and Muhammad Shafi Deobandi.

Even some people who disagreed with him respected his religious rulings and teachings. The famous poet Muhammad Iqbal once wrote that he considered Thanwi the greatest living expert on the teachings of Rumi, a famous Sufi poet.

See Also

• Bibliography of Ashraf Ali Thanwi
• Political views of Ashraf Ali Thanwi
• List of Deobandis