Islamic Publications Presentation - Moulana Ashraf Docrat

Moulana Ashraf Docrat delivered his presentation titled "Islamic Publications" at the 2nd International Congress on Islamic Civilisation in Southern Africa.

1. Islamic Publications in South Africa as a Mirror of the Muslim Community Ashraf Dockrat (UJ) 2 nd Islamic Civilization in Southern Africa Congress IRCICA/AWQAF 4-6 March 2016 (University of KwaZulu Natal)

2. Publications as Reflection Is this a viable study? Literature as a mirror of the history of a community Credibility of study

3. Islamic Publications in South Africa Bibliography of Islam in South Africa ( Mahida ) No bibliography of Islamic Publications in South Africa Loss of tangible heritage

4. A Primary Source A primary source is " a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event ." (Princeton University Library)

5. The Sample Sufi text-Translated from Urdu into English-1980’s Community based publication-1961, Transvaal Mosque Pamphlet-Pretoria, 1960’s Jalsah (School) publication-Durban, 1936

6. Shari’ah and Tasawwuf Name: Shari’ah and Tasawwuf Author : Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Publisher : The Majlis Date : n.d. (c. 1980) No. of Pages : 140 hb Notes : This book has been revised by White Thread Press (UK) under the title: The Path to Perfection . Pages: 160, Format: Softcover, Dimensions: 6" x 9", Pub. Date: Jun 2005 Reprint 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9728358-7-9)

7. Synopsis This work clearly presents a selection of the most important teachings of Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (d.1943). As such it is a reflection of the essential themes of Deobandi spiritual thought in South Asia during the 20th century.   The author Mawlānā Shaykh Masīhullāh Khan Sherwānī (d.1992), a renowned student of the eminent sufī Shaykh , Mawlānā Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawī , wrote Shari’at & Tasawwuf to pass on to future generations of Muslims the numerous benefits of his teacher’s wisdom.

8. The South African Connection Mawlānā Masīullāh Khan visited South Africa in the 1980’s and 1990’s and has a number of disciples in the country. The Thānwī tariqah was perpetuated by these disciples in South Africa. Jalalabād , in UP, India was home to his khanqah and Darul Ulum . A number of South African ʿulamā studied and graduated from this institution in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. They brought back to South Africa the teachings of this preceptor the ṭariqah of Mawlānā Thanawī

9. Synopsis The teachings gathered here are notes of admonition and encouragement for the sālik [one on the path to his Creator]. These teachings promise to provide are sustenance for the ailing hearts and souls of our time. The work aims to awaken the heart and serves as an introduction to the spiritual sciences. It exposes the profundity of the psychological and spiritual disciplines of Islam and provides clear insights and perspectives on the practices of taṣawwuf . The book goes beyond simply diagnosing the spiritual ailments that afflict modern man but also puts forward means of eradicating them, so that the readers can as individuals, as communities, and as an Ummah can reap the benefits of a spiritual way of life. This is evident from the contents listed here:

10. Contents Taṣawwuf & the Path Taṣawwuf The Need for Taṣawwuf Taṣawwuf and the Qur’ān Statements of the Ṣūfīs The Technical Terms of Sharīʿa and Ṭarīqa Sharīʿa , Ṭarīqa , Ḥaqīqa , and Maʿrifa The Pledge The Nature of the Pledge The Mode of the Pledge Instruction upon Taking the Pledge The Need for a Shaykh The Signs of a Qualified Shaykh Congeniality with the Shaykh The Benefits of a Qualified Shaykh   Rights of the Shaykh Self-Reckoning Contemplation of Death The Spiritual Struggle The Need for Spiritual Struggle Moderation in Spiritual Struggle Types of Spiritual Struggle The Four Fundamentals of Spiritual Struggle Talking Less Eating Less Sleeping Less Associating Less With People Character Traits The Path to Perfection

11. Contents Equilibrium and Beauty of the Four Internal Faculties The Faculty of Knowledge The Faculty of Wrath and Desire The Faculty of Justice All Character Traits are Natural Types of Character Traits Blameworthy Character Traits Greed Covetousness Anger Falsehood Envy Miserliness Ostentation Vanity Pride Malice Love of Fame Love of the World Praiseworthy Character Traits Unity Sincerity Repentance Love of Allāh Longing Fear Hope Abstinence Trust in Allāh

12. Contents The Three Fundamentals of Trust Restraint Forbearance Patience Gratitude Truthfulness Consigning One’s Affairs Contentment Annihilation Annihilation of Annihilation guidance & Admonition Attaining Proximity to Allāh Dying Before Death Dominance of Praiseworthy Character Traits Passing Thoughts The Nature of the Lower Self Types of Thought and Their Rulings Signs of the Acquisition of a Relationship with Allāh The Six Spiritual Faculties and Their Effects Conditions for Permission to Initiate into the Path

13. Contents Sulūk Searching for Another Shaykh Obstacles The Harms of Matters beyond Our Control Advice for Those Involved in Remembrance and Devotional Practices Important Advice for the Spiritual Traveler General Admonition Further Advice The Exercise of Pās Anfās Ḥakīm al- Umma Mawlānā Ashraf ʿAlī Thānawī Mawlānā Masīḥullāh Khān Shērwānī  

14. Reception of the Book The book was widely distributed when first published. Circulated in Deobandi circles amongst those affiliated to “ Hazratjee ” Mawlana Maseehullah Khan Sherwani . However in subsequent years it has gone out of publication and even though it was re-printed in the UK it is not extensively used in sufī circles in South Africa.

15. The Majlis : (Mahida:1993)

16. The Majlis : (Mahida:1993)

17. Context Mawlana Maseeullah visits to South Africa in the 1980’s and 1990’s South African students in Jalalabad, UP, India Translation of book by Ml AS Desai of Majlis who is a student and disciple of the author. Known at the time for opposition to “ bid’ah ” and folk Islam. Purpose is to present a shariah minded tasawwuf Serve the needs of the muridin in South Africa

18. Al-Haq May/June 1961

19. Editor Ahmed Ebrahim Lambat : Madressa Quwwatul Islam of Germiston and Districts

20. Al- Haqq Magazine organ of “Germiston Study Circle” Dates: May/June 1961 ( Zil -Hajj 1380 Contributors: Ahmad Ebrahim Lambat ; Essop Wadee , Ayoob Ismail Kachwee ( Deoband , India); Mohamed Bera , Akoojee Ebrahim Lambat , Yakub Ismail Pandor , Ismail Moosa Jogee

21. The Germiston Muslim Community Leadership in community affairs: Ahmad Ebrahim Lambat ( Madressa Quwwatul Islam of Germiston and Districts) One contributor is a student from the community studying at the time at a famous seminary in Deoband . Mawlana Ayub Kachwee is currently the Deputy President of the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa. Nature of articles show that it addresses immediate needs of community. Id al- adhah , Zakaat , Haj

22. Germiston Muslim Community Catalyst for: Ml Abdul Hamid Ishaq Hifz class Arabic classes Darul Ulum Madrasah Arabia Islamia : 1982

23. Your Souvenir Visit to the Mosque (est. 1888)

24. Queen Street Mosque: Pretoria (1960’s)

25. The Universal Truth Movement

26. Queen Street Masjid: Pretoria Pamphlet for persons visiting the Queen Street Mosque The Hidden Jewel of Pretoria Universal Islamic Movement: 1960’s Mawlana Abdur Razaq Ismail-first English speaking Imam Contacts with Afrikaaner Community and University of Pretoria, Department of Theology-Professor Pistorius and Professor Van Selms Apartheid

27. 1 st Annual Report-1935: Jami’atul Banaat (Muslim Girls Educational Conference) Grey Str

28. Annual Report/ Jalsah Jami’atul Banaat : Muslim Girls Educational Conference Awards event but produced as a annual report. Published Bombay Girl’s only event Date: 15/16 February 1936 Students and Teachers contributions

29. Jami’atul Banaat : Muslim Girls Educational Conference 1932 Urdu Language 40 items Fatimah Bibi Qamaruddin wife of Master Abdul Ghaffar (Principal, Madrasatul Banaat al- Muslimin , Jami’ Masjid Grey Street, Durban) Chairperson: Maryam bint Qasim Jogee

30. The Programme:

31. Participants Aisha bint Yusuf Parak Khadijah bint Ghulam Husain Mayet Fatimah bint Musa Variawa (Secretary) Ruqayyah bint Shaykh Abdul Latif Aishah bint Sulayman Vahed Behn Maryam Maryam bint Ismail Shaikh Mariam bint Abdul Latif Zainab bint Muhammad Khan

32. Principal’s Report: 1935 Academic Year Number of Students Enrolled 280 Candidates in Examination 265 Passed 215 Failed 50 English Class Enrolled 111 Passed 63 Failed 48 Gujarati Class Enrolled 25 Passed 20 Failed 5

33. Some Features Urdu classes doing well; old and new syllabus completed. Teacher Aminah Bhai bint Uthman making very good progress. Miss Raipun efforts in the English classes are appreciated and cannot be forgotten Some Muslims unfortunately send their children to missionary schools. Our trustees have identified this problem. English and needlework is being taught (Examples of student’s work is on display) “The purpose is to provide Muslim children with Islamic education in an Islamic environment.” (p.32) Lack of space

34. Female Teachers Fatimah Bhai wife of Master Abdul Ghaffar Aminah Bhai daughter of Uthman Haji Somar Fatimah Bhai wife of Abdul Aziz Ruqayyah Begum daugther of Sayyid Sharfuddin Mrs Oliver Miss Raipan Halimah Bibi daughter of Abdul Halim (new)

35. The Patron : Haḍrat al- Aqdas Raʾs al- ʿUlamāʾ Imām al- Dīn Amīn al- Millah ʿĀrif Billāh Mawlānā bil Faḍl Awlānā Molvī Qārī Ḥakīm Shāh al- Ḥāj Aḥmad Mukhtār Ṣāḥib Ṣiddīqī Khajandī Qādrī Naqshabandī (resident of Meerut)

36. Inspectors Mawlana Ahmad Mukhtar Siddiqi (Islamic Studies) Mawlana Molvi Hazrattuddin (Islamic Studies) (cf. for bio of ulama ; Osman, 2016, Early Guiding Stars ) Mr Lewis Herlz (English) Seth Tayyib Shakur (Gujarati) Mr Hajji Sulaiman Muhammad Mayet (Gujarati)

37. Islamic Literature as site of study Methodological tools for this study? Loss of a heritage Attempts to preserve this tangible heritage. Community Histories

38. Database of Islamic Literature in South Africa Urgent need Organisational support Support from Muslim Jamaats Preserve our tangible history