Maulana Safiullah Dadaji


Shamsul Ulama
Maulana Safiullah Dadaji
Shrine of Dadaji
Head Maulana, Kolkata Alia Madrasah
In office
1927–1929
Preceded byMajid Ali Jaunpuri
Succeeded byMuhammad Yahya Sasarami
Personal details
Born1870
Died1948
NationalityIndian
Children1. Hazrat Abul Mahasin Abdul Ghafoor(R.A) alias Baray Bhaiya Huzoor

2. Abdus Saboor alias Chotay Bhaiya

3. Ayesha Khatun

4. Khadija Begum

5. Maryam Begum

6. Husammuddin alias Babu Bhaiya

7. Ajmeri (Lallu Dadi)

8. Dawood Bhai

9. Hazrat Ziaul Huq Quttubuddin(R.A) Alias Qutub Bhaiya
Parent
  • Abdur Rahman, known as Jawwad Shah (father)
ProfessionSufi saint, preacher, philosopher
Known forHead Maulana, Kolkata Alia Madrasah

Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah Dadaji (Bengali: শামসুল উলামা মাওলানা সফিউল্লাহ দাদাজি; 1870 A.D.- 1948) was renowned as Dadaji among the Muslims of Bengal.[1][2] He was a spiritual scholar, Islamic preacher, philosopher and teacher. He was the Head Maulavi of Calcutta Aliah Madrasah (Now Aliah University). This saint ultimately ended up settling in Kolkata of West Bengal in the Indian subcontinent in early 1900.[3][4] He did not have any formal education or degree from any established institution, but he was an accomplished Islamic thinker.

Early life

Dadaji was born in 1870 A.D. in Martung Tehsil, Mardan District of Swat State, in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.[5] His father name Shah Sufi Abdur Rahman, known as Jawwad Shah, also was a great saint.[6] Maulana Safiullah was born in Martung Tehsil, his forefathers belonged to Tara village, in Swat State. Later they settled at Torbanda also in Swat. Dadaji never took any formal education or degree from any established institution.

The family's origin traces back to Yemen, followed by migration to Türkiye. It is in Türkiye where the family settled and remained for the longest period, establishing a Sufi lineage known as Khan E Khana (also spelled Han i Hana). Their Sufi silsila/traditions started with Owaisia & Qaderia, eventually merged with Chishtiya tradition. The specific Sufi approach they adopted is known as the Malamati Tariqa.

The Holy Shrine of Dadaji in Kolkata

Career

After spending most of his time in the jungle he came to Calcutta to settle down at the age of 31–32 on the advice of another saint. He did this by following Prophet Muhammad who married and had a family.[5] Then he taught at Ramzania Madrasa in Calcutta. At that time a post of additional maulovi was opened in Calcutta Alia Madrasa. The Principal of Madrasa-e-Alia Calcutta was pleased to hear his speech and preferred him for the post of Madrasa.[7] Later he was promoted to become the Head Maulana of the Kolkata Aliya Madrasa.[8]

Main gate of Shrine of Dadaji in Kolkata.

Also during his travels he visited many Qutbs, Ghawtes and Auliya shrines and met many saints who helped him in his journey to attain nearness to Allah. He acquired the knowledge of Marifat from them. He met Khizir, the mystic person of Islam, and benefited from his teachings and guidance.[5][9]

Death

In his old age he suffered from painful carbuncle (a severe boil with multiple boils in the skin), it weakens him physically. He died of this disease in 1948.

Personal life

His eldest son, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor (Baray Bhaiyya), received his education from Kolkata Madrasa and is also a prominent Sufi Islamic scholars.[10][11] Ziaul Huq Qutubuddin, the youngest son - writer, visiting professor of Islamic studies, Southeast University.[12]

See also

Further reading

  • Bibliography: Maulana M. Obaidul Huq, Bangladesher Pir Aulia, Feni, 1389/1969, p.175-236, Abdul Wahhab,
  • Maulana Safiullah, Islamic Foundation, Dhaka, 1403,1983, Abdus Sattar, Tarikh-e-Madrasa-e-Aliya: Dhaka, 1959, p. 172-73. Published by The Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh. Article contributed by A.T.M. Muslehuddin

References

  1. ^ Great Sufi Saint Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah (Dadaji). Las Vegas, NV: Amazon. 2021. pp. 28–37, 252–263, 267. ISBN 9798789641583.
  2. ^ Wahhab, Abdul (2008). Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah (Dadaji), the saint of Kolkata (1 ed.). Oshi Publ.
  3. ^ Maulana M. Obaidul Huq, Bangladesher Pir Aulia, Feni, 1389/1969, p.175-236 (in Bengali). Madina Publications.
  4. ^ Abdul Wahhab, Maulana Safiullah, Islamic Foundation, Dhaka, 1403,1983, Abdus Sattar, Tarikh-e-Madrasa-e-Aliya: Dhaka, 1959, p.172-73. Published by The Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh. Article contributed by A.T.M. Muslehuddin.
  5. ^ a b c Anam, Mufakkharul (2008). Great Sufi Saint Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah (Dadaji): Life, Teachings and Miracles. -- Author: Abdul Wahhab Translator: Mufakkharul. Translated by Anam, Mufakkharul. Oshi Publications. OCLC 276515383.
  6. ^ "The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760". publishing.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  7. ^ Wahhab, Abdul; Anam, Mufakkharul (April 8, 2008). Great Sufi Saint Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah (Dadaji): Life, Teachings and Miracles. Independently Published. ISBN 979-8789641583.
  8. ^ Wahhab, Abdul (2008). Shamsul Ulama Maulana Safiullah (Dadaji): the saint of Kolkata. Dhaka: Oshi Publications. OCLC 276515383.
  9. ^ "Maulana Safiullah: The Saint of Kolkata | The University Press Limited". www.uplbooks.com. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  10. ^ Alamgir, Muhammad (2009). Sufi Saint Maulana Abdul Ghafoor (Baray Bhaiyya): Life, Teachings and Miracles -- Author: Abdul Wahhab Translator: Muhammad. Translated by Alamgir, Muhammad. ISBN 979-8791347206.
  11. ^ Wahhab, Abdul; Alamgir, Muhammad (2009). Profile of a saint: the amazing life of Baray Bhaiyya, Fakhrul Muhaddeseen Maulana Abdul Ghafoor. Dhaka: Ziaul Haq Qutubuddin. ISBN 978-984-33-0609-8. OCLC 680427748.
  12. ^ Qutubuddin, Ziaul Huq (2007). The Concept of Bid'ah in Islam: In the Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Oshi Publications.