Post on 23-Jan-2018
Islamic Publications in South Africa as a Mirror of the
Muslim Community
Ashraf Dockrat (UJ)
2nd Islamic Civilization in Southern Africa Congress
IRCICA/AWQAF
4-6 March 2016 (University of KwaZulu Natal)
Publications as Reflection
Is this a viable study?
Literature as a mirror of the history of a community
Credibility of study
Islamic Publications in South Africa
Bibliography of Islam in South Africa (Mahida)
No bibliography of Islamic Publications in South Africa
Loss of tangible heritage
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)
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
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)
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.
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
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:
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
The Germiston Muslim Community
Leadership in community affairs: Ahmad Ebrahim Lambat (MadressaQuwwatul 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
Germiston Muslim Community
Catalyst for:
Ml Abdul Hamid Ishaq
Hifz class
Arabic classes
Darul Ulum Madrasah Arabia Islamia: 1982
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
Annual Report/JalsahJami’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
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
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
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
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
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)
The Patron: Haḍrat al-Aqdas Raʾs al-ʿUlamāʾ Imām al-Dīn Amīn al-Millah ʿĀrif BillāhMawlānā bil Faḍl Awlānā Molvī Qārī Ḥakīm Shāh al-Ḥāj Aḥmad Mukhtār Ṣāḥib Ṣiddīqī
Khajandī Qādrī Naqshabandī (resident of Meerut)
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)
Islamic Literature as site of study
Methodological tools for this study?
Loss of a heritage
Attempts to preserve this tangible heritage. Community Histories