Those righteous predecessors whose Urs day falls in Shaban

Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam is the eighth month of the Islamic year. There are a number of blessed companions رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُم, Islamic saints and Islamic scholarsرَحِمَہُمُ اللہُ تَعَالٰی who passed away or whose ‘Urs falls in this month. Thirty four of them were briefly mentioned in the monthly magazine ‘Faizan-e-Madinah’, Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam 1438 and 1439 Hijri. An introduction of a few more righteous personalities is as follows:

Blessed companions

1. Sayyiduna ‘Usman Bin Maz’oon رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was a blessed companion possessing great piety and abstinence. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was a Rada’ee^[1] [رَضَاعِی] brother of the Holy Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and embraced Islam in the very early days of Islam. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ had the privilege of migrating to Abyssinia and Madinah both. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was very simple and possessed a very righteous character. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ would worship enormously and keep Siyam abundantly. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was among the Ashaab-e-Suffah and among the companions who participated in the battle of Badr. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ passed away in Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam 3 Hijri, and was the first one among Muhajireen to be laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqi’. (Hilya-tul-Awliya, vol. 1, pp. 147-151; Jami’-ul-Usool, vol. 13, pp. 313, 314)

2. The renowned companion, Sayyiduna Mughayrah Bin Shu’bah Saqafi رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was born in Taif and passed away in Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam 50 Hijri in Kufa. He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ embraced Islam in 5^th Hijri and was absolutely devoted to the Holy Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ . He رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ was a Mujahid of Islam, a narrator of many Ahadees, a knowledgeable individual, a highly motivational speaker, a great administrator and the governor of several cities. He had unmatchable intellect. (A’laam liz-Zarkali, vol. 7, pp. 277; Tareekh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 60, pp. 13-62)

Islamic scholars

1. Imam-ul-Aimmah, Sayyiduna Zufar [زفر] Tameemi Basri رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 110 Hijri in Kufa, Iraq, and passed away in Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam 158 Hijri. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was laid to rest in Basra, Iraq. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was a Haafiz of Quran, a great scholar of Hadees in his time, a Mujtahid, the judge of Basra, and an illustrious student of Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ . (Wafyat-ul-A’yaan, vol. 1, pp. 342; Akhbar Abi Hanifah, pp. 47, 109-113)

2. The leader of believers in terms of Hadees, Sayyiduna Sufyan Sawri رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 98 Hijri in Kufa (Iraq) and passed away in Sha’ban 161 Hijri. His blessed tomb is situated in the graveyard of Bani Kulayb in Basra. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was a great Islamic jurist, a Muhaddis and was very pious. He was also an accomplished Islamic saint and a teacher of Muhaddiseen and Fuqaha [jurists]. (Siyar A’laam-un-Nubala, vol. 7, pp. 229, 279; Tabqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 6, pp. 350)

3. Shams-ul-Aimmah, Sayyiduna ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Halwaani Bukhari Hanafi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in the 4^th Hijri in Bukhara (Uzbekistan) and passed away in 448 Hijri in the Kash city. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was laid to rest in the Kalabaz cemetery of Bukhara (Uzbekistan). He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was an eminent scholar and Haafiz-ul-Hadees. He was also a Mujtahid in terms of Islamic rulings and was a teacher of Fuqaha [scholars of Islamic jurisprudence]. Besides, he رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ wrote commentary on Al-Mabsoot – a fundamental book on Hanafi jurisprudence. (A’laam liz-Zarkali, vol. 4, pp. 13; Hadaiq-ul-Hanafiyyah, pp. 221; Fiqh Islami, pp. 47)

4. A student of ‘Allamah Suyuti, Makhdoom Al-Kabeer Zaynuddin Bin ‘Ali Malibari [ملیباری] Shaafi’i رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 873 Hijri in Cochin, Malabar, Kerala, India. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 17^th Sha’ban 928 Hijri in Ponnani and was also laid to rest there. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was a Haafiz of the Holy Quran, a great Shaafi’i scholar, an Islamic poet and was a spiritual guide in the Chishtiyyah spiritual order. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was an embodiment of piety and abstinence, a preacher of Islam, the author of more than 24 books and the grandfather of Shaykh Zaynuddin Ahmad Makhdoom As-Sagheer رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ who was the author of the book Fath-ul-Mu’een. (Tarajim ‘Ulama Ash-Shafi’iyyah fid-Diyar-il-Hindiyyah, pp. 69-77)

5. Sayyid Ja’far Bin Hasan Barzanji Madani Shaafi’i رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was the author of the book Mawlid-ul-Barzanji. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 1128 Hijri in Madinah Munawwarah. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was the Shaafi’i Mufti of Madinah Munawwarah and was the Imam and Khateeb of Masjid-un-Nabawi. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was the teacher of scholars and a spiritual guide of the Khalwatiyah spiritual order. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 3^rd Sha’ban 1177 Hijri and was laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqi’. Out of his 12 books, ‘Mawlood Barzanji’ (عقد الجوھر فی مولد النبی الازھر) is the renowned one. (Suluk-ud-Durar, Juz: 2, vol. 1, pp. 11; Mawlood Barzanji, pp. 12, 13)

6. Imam of Shari’ah and Tareeqah, Imam Sayyid Muhammad Murtada Husayni Bilgrami Zubaydi Misri Qaadiri Hanafi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 1145 Hijri in Bilgram (District Hardoi, UP), India. He passed away on 17^th Sha’ban 1205 Hijri in Cairo, Egypt. His blessed mausoleum is situated in Mashhad-e-Sayyidah Ruqayyah. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was Haafiz-ul-Hadees and an accomplished Sufi. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was immensely knowledgeable, a Hanafi Faqeeh [scholar of Islamic jurisprudence], the author of several books and the Mujaddid [revivalist] in the 13^th century. Out of his around 100 books, Taj-ul-‘Uroos (40 volumes) and Ithaf-us-Sadaat-il-Muttaqeen (commentary of Ihya-ul-‘Uloom) attained global acclaim. (Hilya-tul-Bashar, Juz: 3, vol. 1, pp. 1492; Hadaiq-ul-Hanafiyyah, pp. 477)

7. A true devotee of A’la Hadrat, a practicing scholar, Maulana Tajuddeen Qaadiri رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in Phalia, in district Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ acquired Islamic knowledge in Markaz-ul-Awliya Lahore and continued Islamic preaching in various Masajid of Lahore. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was an acclaimed Islamic scholar and a spiritual guide. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 25^th Sha’ban 1327 Hijri and was laid to rest in the place adjacent to Tajuddeen Masjid constructed by him (and situated at Mahallah Chobacha Mughalpura, Markaz-ul-Awliya, Lahore). (Tazkirah Akabir Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan, pp. 111)

Saints of Islam

1. The pride of Islam and the nation, Sayyid Meeran [میراں] Husayn Zanjani رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 347 Hijri in Zanjan (province of Zanjan), Iran, and passed away on 19^th Sha’ban 431 Hijri. He was an accomplished saint, a spiritual guide of the Junaydiyah order, and was among the prominent saints of Islam. His blessed mausoleum is situated in Chah Miran, Markaz-ul-Awliya, Lahore. (Tazkirah Awliya-e-Pakistan, vol. 1, pp. 43, 60)

2. Conqueror of Bilgram, Sayyid Muhammad Sahib-ud-Da’wah As-Sughra Chishti Bilgrami رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 564 Hijri in India. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was an accomplished saint, a Mujahid of Islam and a Khalifah of Qutbuddeen Bakhtiyar Kaki رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ. He was the grandfather of the descendants of the Holy Nabi in Bilgram, Marehra and Musooli. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 14^th Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam 645 Hijri. His blessed mausoleum is situated in the northern side of Maidanpur, Bilgram (district Hardoi, UP) India. (Tazkirah Noori, pp. 37)

3. Lisan-ul-Ghayb, Khuwajah Haafiz Shamsuddin Muhammad Sheerazi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born around 720 Hijri in Shiraz (province of Persia), Iran, and passed away in the same city on 8^th Sha’ban 792 Hijri. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was an unmatchable Persian Sufi poet, the pride of scholars and Naazim-ul-Awliya. His poetic compilation ‘Dewan-e-Haafiz’ is renowned among the knowledgeable ones. (Urdu Da`irah Ma’arif-e-Islamiyyah, vol. 7, pp. 794, 797; Nafhaat-ul-Uns, pp. 635; Wafyat-ul-Akhyar, pp. 48)

4. Sayyid-ul-Awliya, Sayyid ‘Abdullah Shah Ashaabi Baghdadi Qaadiri رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born probably in Baghdad. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ had a line of descent from the family of Ghaus-e-Pak رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ . He was also a spiritual guide and an accomplished saint. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away in 1093 Hijri. His blessed mausoleum is situated in the graveyard of Makli (Bab-ul-Islam, Sindh). His ‘Urs takes place every year from 13^th to 15^th Sha’ban. (Tazkirah Awliya-e-Pakistan, vol. 1, pp. 469)

5. Peer Shah Ghazi Qalander Qaadiri رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in 1076 Hijri in Moza Chak Bahram, district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 14^th Sha’ban 1163 Hijri in Khari Shareef (district Mirpur), Kashmir. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ strived hard towards the acts of worship and possessed saintly miracles. He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ would recite the Holy Quran abundantly. (Tazkirah Awliya-e-Jhelum, pp. 159, 162)

6. Qutb-e-Zaman, Haji Muhammad ‘Usman Khan Damaani Naqshbandi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was born in the village of Loee, Tehsil Kalachi, district Dera Ismail Khan (KPK province). He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ passed away on 22^nd Sha’ban 1314 Hijri in Khanqah Ahmad Sa’eediyah Musa Za`ee Shareef, district Dera Ismail Khan (KPK province). He رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ possessed great apparent and spiritual excellence. He was a follower of Sunnahs and was an embodiment of humility. (Fuyuzaat Hasaniyyah, pp. 395)