By Dr. Asi Khurram Jahangiri
According to verse 46 of Surah Al-Kahf, goodness is that which endures. An Arabic proverb wisely states, “Everything returns to its origin.” Truly, goodness springs from the hearts of the righteous, and the lasting memory of their lives — their virtues, teachings, services, and the awe inspired by their piety — remains a testament to their elevated rank. Hazrat Sayyiduna Qutb Madinah Ziauddin Madani (may Allah sanctify his secret) was born in the year 1294 AH (1877 CE) in Kalaswala, Sialkot, Pakistan. He was a noble descendant of Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). Among his distinguished family ties, he was the grandfather-in-law of Qibla Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqui and the father of Maulana Fazlur Rehman Madani. His sons, Dr Khalil Madani and Dr Rizwan Madani, hold the legacy of their esteemed lineage.
In 2022, during the Umrah, I had the honor of meeting the respected scholar Anwar Iqbal, upon his kind invitation. Maulana Rumi beautifully remarked that through divine grace, one attains noble character, and those devoid of politeness are deprived of the Lord’s mercy. In my personal experience, I observed my esteemed teacher and guide, Hazrat Syed Murtaza Hassan Ali Shah, never seated himself on anything except what was deemed respectful in religious gatherings. I later read that Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (may Allah be pleased with him) also upheld this dignified practice. Dr Rizwan Fazlur Rehman Madani, too, preserves this tradition, and it is this reverence that inspired these reflections.
I recall an incident during an Umrah trip, perhaps in 2011, where I witnessed a Pakistani devotee searching for a spot in the Prophet’s Mosque courtyard, careful not to turn his back towards the Holy Shrine. That man was Dr Hafiz Muhammad Sani, his heart overflowing with love and reverence for the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Deen is Adab (good manners).” Adab is the embodiment of love manifested in etiquette — in sitting, speaking, behaving, and conducting oneself with dignity. Hazrat Sheikh Saadi similarly advised, “The path is nothing but service to the people.”
Hazrat Qutb Madinah Ziauddin Madani inherited the noble manners and spiritual discipline of the righteous from the great Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi and faithfully transmitted them to his descendants. It is imperative for us to preserve these golden legacies. In times when Saudi Arabia had yet to discover its vast reserves of oil and wealth, pious souls like Haji Abdul Karim and Haji Abdul Ghani — the maternal grandfathers of Haji Hanif Tayyab — established orphanages in Madinah. These were inaugurated by luminaries like Allama Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui and Allama Ziauddin Madani, who left indelible marks on social welfare across the Arab world.
Our forefathers were vigilant and visionary, always mindful of the welfare of the Ummah. Those who truly love are known by their acts of service and reverence for the beloved. Today, as many Muslim countries, including Pakistan, endure severe economic hardship, it is crucial that the affluent and influential among us revive this tradition of benevolence. An aspect of Hazrat Qutb Madinah’s refined etiquette that deeply moved me was his consistent use of honorifics like “Badr Sharif”, never omitting the sacred suffix, even after decades in the Arab lands. It pains the heart to hear some casually refer to “Makkah” as Mecca and “Madina” as Medina, neglecting their honored titles. May Allah enable us to become protectors and caretakers of these beautiful traditions and of the legacies left by our righteous predecessors.
Professor Iqbal Azim poignantly expressed:
“Someone with eyes will pass by from this side, I wait upon the path of Tayyaba.” After the example of Imam Malik’s profound love for Madinah, Hazrat Qutb Madinah Ziauddin Madani’s deep affection for the city of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) became legendary. Towards the end of his life, afflicted by an eye disease, he was advised to seek treatment in Jeddah. Yet he chose to stay, replying, “A poor man cannot leave Madinah for his eyes.” The righteous have long known the spiritual healing found even in the dust of Madinah. A valuable manuscript of his, Tajal al-Yaqeen Ban Nabiyyabbana Daf al-Balaa fi al-Ilameen, is preserved in the libraries of Madinah, wherein he presented scholarly insights supported by ten authoritative verses and forty-one hadiths.
One of Hazrat Qutb Madinah’s most lasting contributions to the world of Islam is his connection to Alami Dawat-e-Islami. Its founder, Allama Muhammad Ilyas Qadri (may Allah preserve him), is among his disciples, continuing his mission to this day. Hazrat Qutb Madinah resided in Baghdad from 1900 to 1909, and then in Madinah Munawwarah until his passing on 4 Dhul-Hijjah 1401 AH. He rests eternally in Jannat al-Baqi’, in the blessed city of Madinah. May Allah Almighty honor us with the company of His beloved, and grant us steadfastness in preserving the radiant imprints of the Qur’an and the pious predecessors.
(The writer is a religious scholar, poet and writer, has done PhD, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
