Khwaja Abdullah Ansari-Pir-i-Herat, or Sage of Herat-who lived in the eleventh century, is revered as one of the world's great and earliest Sufis. He turned to tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism) at a very young age, and came to be regarded as an extraordinary teacher, mystic, and an authority on Islam. Thousands were drawn to him and became his followers, and to this day his poetry and prose-collected in Persian and Arabic texts that are widely regarded as masterpieces-inspire and instruct scholars. seekers and the pious faithful alike.
Abdullah Ansari's tomb in Herat, in modern-day Afghanistan-a country ravaged in recent decades by discord and violence-remains a place of pilgrimage and peace for millions. In that beautiful sanctuary and elsewhere-including Panipat in India, where his descendants settled in the thirteenth century-his legacy and teachings continue to give solace to humanity, guiding us towards humility and compassion.
This compilation of Abdullah Ansari's invocations, prayers and counsels. selected from translations by two celebrated scholars, is a book of wisdom for all times. It is of particular relevance today, over a millennium after these words were spoken and recorded. As Syeda Hameed writes in her introduction, for our highly troubled and deeply hurt world, this is the healing hand of a wise Sufi Pir.
Sheikh Khwaja Abdullah Ansari (1006-1086 CE) was born in Herat, Afghanistan. Ansari excelled in the knowledge of Hadith, history and law. He became a revered authority on Islamic mysticism and philosophy quite early in life and shared his wisdom with common people. His writings and collected sayings, in Persian and Arabic, continue to inspire Sufis and seekers around the world today. Khwaja Ansari's tomb - the shrine in Gazur Gah - is a pilgrimage site that attracts thousands every year.
Sardar Sir Jogendra Singh (1877-1946) was a scholar and statesman, born at Aira Estate in Kheri district of what used to be the United Provinces. He was a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council in India and served as Chairman of the Department of Health, Education and Lands. His The Persian Mystics, published by John Murray, London, in October 1939, is a rendering into English of the sayings of the mystic Abdullah Ansari of Herat. Singh was knighted in 1929 and co-founded the Khalsa National Party in 1936.
Arthur John Arberry (1905-1969) was a British scholar of Arabic literature, Persian studies, and Islamic studies. Arberry served as Head of Department of Classics at Cairo University in Egypt and is notable for introducing Rumi's work to the West through his selective translations. His English translation of the Qur'an, The Koran Interpreted, is popular amongst academics worldwide.
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed is a former Member of the Planning Commission of India and former Member of the National Commission for Women. She is a feminist and writer, who is widely recognized for her passionate engagement in public affairs and social issues, especially for women, minorities and peace. She is the Founder Member of the Muslim Women's Forum and a Founder Trustee of the Women's Initiative for Peace in South Asia. Hameed was awarded the Padma Shri in 2007.
It is the time of tahajjud (pre-dawn prayer) when I have begun writing this.
I close my eyes and open the Qur'an to guide me in this mission. Miraculously, it opens on Surah An-Nisa, Ayat 95. I become aware then that an invisible hand had guided me to the Surah-which for many years has become my life's mission-Surah An-Nisa (The Women).
Ayat 95 states:
Those who stay at home-except those with valid excuses- are not equal to those who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives.
Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay a behind.
All my life I have been a believer and I try to strive and fight for His cause-the cause of justice and love. My fight is for Islam which has become the most misunderstood religion in the world, for which I believe we Muslims are responsible. Islam has answers for us. This is why I may have been chosen to bring back from oblivion this gift for our highly troubled and deeply hurt world. Khwaja Abdullah Pir-i-Herat's sprayers sand supplications are presented here as the healing hand of a Sufi Pir who spoke of surrender and love over a 1000 years ago.
Thirty years ago, I found a copy of these Munajat (prayers), penned by Khwaja Abdullah, in the India Office Library (IOL) in London. I was not looking for them. I was conducting research on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. My cousin Yasoob Hashmi, who had brought me there, and I were thrilled to discover our ancestor listed in the catalogue. The copy with the IOL stamp has lain with me three decades.
I may never have embarked on this mission if the editor and publisher Ravi Singh had not inspired me. Again, it was providence that he came to my home and offered to publish this work. Speaking Tiger is a publishing house which, to my thinking, was destined for this. I thought of my Maula Ali, the fourth Khalifa of Islam, who was called Sher-e- Yazdan, meaning Tiger of Allah. Need I say more?
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