Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Farooqui

Muhammad Anwaarullah Khan Farooqui
Born	4th Rab'ee Thani, 1265 Hijri
Died	29th Jamaadi Ula, 1336 Hijri

Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Khan Farooqui is the founder of the Islamic university, Jamia Nizamia. His actual name is Muhammad Anwaarullah Khan Bahadur and was bestowed the title of “Fadheelat Jung” by the Nizam.

Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Farooqui was born on 4th Rab’ee Thani 1265 Hijri in Nanded. His mother said that in the course of her pregnancy, she saw the Islamic prophet, Muhammad reciting the Quran in a dream.

As the name implies, Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Farooqui is a descendent of the second Caliph of Islam, Hadhrat ‘Umar Al Farooq. His lineage is:

When he was 7 years of age, his father handed over the Imam to Hafidh Amjad Ali, who was blind, to memorize the Quran. The Imam completed the memorization of the Quran at 11 years of age.

He received his introductory education from his father. He studied jurisprudence (Fiqh)and logic under Maulana Abdul Haleem Firangi Mahalli and Maulana Abdul Hayy Firangi Mahalli (Citation Needed). He studied some works of jurisprudence under Maulvi Fayyazuddin Aurangabadi as well. He studied exegesis of the Quran (Tafseer) Shaykh ‘Abdullah Yemeni and received his authorization in Hadith from the same Shaykh.

In 1285 Hijri, the Imam was appointed to a clerical position. After one and a half years, he was asked to record a usurious transaction. Instead, he tendered his resignation. His superior promised him that from then on such transactions would not be given to him. However, the Imam demurred and resigned.

On 19th Dhul Hijjah, 1292 Hijri, a meeting was held at the house of Maulvi Muzafarruddin in which the thought was expressed that founding an Islamic university in Hyderabad, which would provide higher and specialized education in Islamic sciences was the need of the hour. This proposal was accepted. A large number of scholars expressed the view that other than Imam Anwaarullah Farooqui, there seems to be none who can head such an institution. Thus, the Imam was appointed as the head of the institution.

After the martyrdom of Maulvi Zamaan Khan Shaheed, his brother was appointed as the teacher of His Highness Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan. However, he had other responsibilities to handle as well. Thus, he proposed the name of Imam Anwaarullah Farooqui and Syed Ashraf Hussain and got it approved from the court.

First, the Imam refused to take this responsibility, but later on he performed Istikhara and accepted it. Thus, Imam Anwaarullah Farooqui became the teacher of the Sixth Nizam in 1295 Hijri.

Imam Anwaarullah Farooqui traveled to the two holy cities three times. The first time was in 1294 Hijri, the second was in 1301 Hijri and the third time was in 1305 Hijri. The third time, the Imam stayed there for three years. Apart from the necessities of life, he spent all his time in worship or in scouring the libraries. His book “Anwaare Ahmadi” was written at that time.

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Wikipedia