Second only to the Arabs, the Bengali-speaking Muslims make one of the largest linguistic groups in the Muslim world.^([1]) A significant number of the British Muslims are also of Bangladeshi origin.^([2]) It is a shame, therefore, that the majority of those who grew up in Europe, America and Canada know very little of their family history, culture and heritage. This includes the profound legacy of ḥadīth.

Translated by Zameelur Rahman

Translator’s note: The following is the translation of an Arabic speech delivered by ‘Allamah Anwar Shah al-Kashmiri when Shaykh Rashid Rida visited Dar al-‘Ulum Deoband in 1912 CE. He explained the historical and intellectual background to the seminary and the school’s methodology in hadith-commentary.

Suwar min Hayātit Tabi`īn: A book, written by Shaykh ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān al-Bāshā (رح), that narrates varied anecdotes from the life of 30 tabiʿūn, many of whom have been portrayed in voluminous compilations. Below are some motivational excerpts from the lives of several remarkably outstanding tabi`īn from whose lives we can take lessons from.

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was a leader of a nation and the greatest of worshipers. Yet he still managed to spend quality time with his wives and show them such sweet love, romance and compassion.

Darul Ulūm Deoband is located in the city of Deoband in India. Prior to the construction of the madrasah, Deoband only had a small masjid known as the Chatte Wala Masjid. The community would often get together in that musjid and discuss amongst themselves that they had to find a way to help the future generations from the teachings that the British had introduced.