INTRODUCTION

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"Verily, Allah will send for this Ummah at the beginning of every century a person who will renew (reform and renovate) for it the Deen.”

Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) was one such Mujaddid (Reformer) as is mentioned in the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

In "Hayaatul Muslimeen" or the "Life of the Muslims", Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah diagnosis the disease of the Ummah and provides the prescription and the remedy for the sure cure of the Ummah. The prescription is the result of the diagnosis of one who has been sent by Allah Ta'ala for this purpose.

On 20 Jamadul Awwal 1346 A.H. whilst performing the Fajr Salaah Hadhrat Moulana was inspired about the effects of certain acts. If the Muslims practised these acts, their calamities could be overcome. Consequently Hadhrat Maulana gathered 25 principles and had them printed in a booklet namely “Hayatul Muslimeen”.

Since the disease has gripped and blinded the Ummah at all levels, this prescription offered in Hayaatul Muslimeen is for the entire Ummah. It is in fact the true and only panacea for the ills of the Ummah. It is the one and only alchemy of happiness and success for this Ummah which although following the norms and cultures of the disbelievers, still positively asserts its allegiance to Allah Azza Wa Jal.

Since Hayaatul Muslimeen is written for all Muslims, Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah had endeavoured to keep it as simple as possible so that the Muslim masses may easily comprehend. Simplicity is the thread which runs throughout the book. In fact, the greater portion of the book consists of Qur'aan and Hadith narrations, for it is the Qur'aan and Hadith which were the foundations on which the superstructure of Islam and the Ummah's glory were erected by the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum).

The remedy offered by Mujaddid Hadhrat Hakimul Ummah (Rahmatullahi Alayh) is simple, divine, the one and only cure, the certain cure for the Ummah if only the Ummah can rise to the occasion and accept the remedy!

Although Hadhrat Maulana has written over 1000 books, yet he had this to say: “I never had any thought of any of my books being a means of salvation for me. However, with regards to Hayatul Muslimeen, I have a strong feeling it will be a means of my salvation. I regard it as the earning and capital of my entire life.” "The book Hayatul Muslimeen took a lot of strain to write and I value this act."

Hadhrat Maulana R.A. spent his entire life serving Deen in every field. It is for this reason that he has been given the titles Hakimul Ummah and Mujaddid-e-Millah.

To be continued Insha Allah

Note: Mufti Sahib's Weekly Majlis will resume tomorrow morning at the Darul Uloom Masjid Insha Allah.

THE SUNNAH OF RASULULLAH SALLALLAHU ALAYHI WASALLAM IN DRINKING

55. When Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam drank water, he would sip it silently. He never drank in loud gulps.

56. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was very fond of clear sweet water. He used to have drinking water brought from as far away as two days journey.

57. Of all the Ummahatul Mu'mineen, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was especially fond of Hazrat Ayesha Radhiallahu Anhaa, and he liked to drink from the same cup and to put his mubarak lips to the same part of the cup as she had drunk from.

58. Of all liquids, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to like milk the most.

59. Sometimes Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam would drink milk on its own and sometimes he would add cold water to it.

60. Sometimes Huzoor Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam would drink water directly from a water-skin or bucket.