Abji Biography - 230912 - 143042

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All praise is due to Allah.

We praise Him, seek


His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We also
seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls
and the evil of our actions. Whoever Allah
guides, there is none to misguide, and whoever
Allah leaves to go astray, none can guide. We
bear witness that none has the right to be
worshipped except Allah, alone, and we bear
witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him)
is His last and final messenger. To proceed, a
period has passed since the parting of Sheikh
Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A), may Allah have mercy
on him."

Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that


he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be
upon him) saying:

"The world is cursed, and what is in it is


cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah
(dhikr) and what is conducive to that, or one
who has knowledge or acquires knowledge."
(Reported by Ibn Majah, No. 4112, and
declared to be Hasan by Sheikh Al-Albaanee,
may Allah have mercy on him, in As-Saheehah,
No. 2797)
Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),

May Allah have mercy on him, the former Amir


of Markaz Jam'iyat Ahlul Hadith of Great
Britain, has departed from us forever. May the
sky shed dew on his grave. No living being
escapes from death. However, there are those
who leave behind an aroma of beautiful
memories with their good deeds and character,
something that remains fragrantly impactful for
a long time. These people's lives serve as a
guide for the new generation.

One such person who is not present among us


anymore is Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),
may Allah have mercy on him. A significant
period of time has passed since he departed
from this mortal world. However, it should be
known that every day of his life was devoted to
serving the religion, and his life served as an
example of the piety of the predecessors and
the righteous.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A) was an


exemplary figure of piety, purity, asceticism,
contentment, and simplicity. His entire life
beautifully portrayed qualities of patience, trust
in Allah, and selfless sacrifice.

In addition to possessing intellectual qualities,


he was also kind-hearted, an active individual,
and full of love. Whenever he met a friend, he
had the ability to make them feel as though
they had known each other for a long time,
establishing an immediate and enduring
friendship.
Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),

May Allah have mercy on him, was of medium


to tall stature, healthy, possessed a gentle
temperament, spoke politely, and had a
noticeable charisma. Devoted to the Quran and
Sunnah, he strived to follow them and
preferred simple attire, such as the traditional
Pakistani Shalwar Kameez. The life of
Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti, may Allah have
mercy on him, exemplified the piety of the
righteous predecessors. He embodied humility,
kindness, generosity, selflessness, and
benevolence, especially towards students. He
was good-natured and eloquent in speech, yet
he preferred quietness. He distanced himself
from modern-day worldly extravagances, living
a life of teaching, learning, and devotion. Free
from worldly desires, he focused on research,
preaching, and the remembrance of Allah. His
life's purpose revolved around imparting
wisdom, contributing to household chores, and
propagating the true teachings of Islam as
understood by the pious predecessors of the
Ummah.

His speech was void of backbiting, slander, or


sarcastic remarks about others. He never
complained about anyone nor did anyone have
any complaints regarding him. The true people
of Allah, may Allah have mercy on them,
exemplify patience and gratitude.

He, may Allah have mercy on him, was indeed


one of the Rabbani scholars (from those
scholars who raise others in knowledge)
apparent through his actions. A remarkable
aspect of his life, may Allah have mercy on
him, was his ability to unite the pursuits of this
world and the deeds for the Hereafter. He
conducted every action with a spirit of worship
and the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure.

He held a special place in his heart for every


member of his family. He was a loving
husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. In fact,
due to his affectionate and kind nature,
many who were not related to him by blood
also regarded him as if he were their own
father, uncle, or grandfather.

He maintained daily contact with people of


various backgrounds and perspectives.
Political and social figures frequently crossed
paths with him. He was connected with
scholars and in regular contact with students,
engaging in discussions with scholars from
diverse backgrounds on various issues. May
Allah have mercy on him; he also had a
relationship with the general population of his
locality. Ordinary people would visit him, and
those with questions related to Shari'a often
sought his counsel. He displayed kindness to
the younger generation and showed respect to
the elders, which was a defining trait of his
noble character.

He was constantly engaged in a multitude of


affairs, yet this never wore him out. May Allah
have mercy on him; he always bore signs of
contentment and serenity on his face. He was
a practicing religious scholar and a sincere
servant of Allah's religion.
In addition to having close ties with the people
of his own methodology, the Salafis and the
Ahlul-Hadeeth, he also maintained sincere
relations with scholars from other schools of
thought, earning high respect from some of
them.

However, this did not mean that he


compromised on the pure 'aqeedah taught by
the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his noble
companions. Instead, he was a person who
lived and died firmly adhering to the pure
'aqeedah of Tawheed and
submission to Allah 'azza wa jall alone.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),

May Allah have mercy on him, held a deep


affection for the Qur'an, reciting it daily. His
tongue was constantly engaged in the
remembrance of Allah. He generously assisted
the poor and needy individuals. Despite
personal circumstances that were different
from what people may have assumed, he
remained very hospitable. He never allowed
anyone to leave without hosting them
generously.

Frequently, religious, political, and social


dignitaries came and went, and many of them
can attest to his extreme generosity. One of his
most notable characteristics was his
commitment to fulfilling the specific needs of
his guests, taking special care of them. He
provided specific instructions to his family to
support in hosting these guests and fulfilling
their needs, even if it meant going out of their
way or accommodating them during
unconventional hours.
His entire life was a shining example of
patience, trust in Allah, and selflessness.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),

His father's name was Ghulam Muhammad,


and his grandfather's name was Abu Ghulam
Muhammad. He had four brothers:
- The late Haji Muhammad Aslam,
- Haji Muhammad Muslim,
- Haji Muhammad Yusuf,
- and the late Rana Ehsanullah.

He also had four sisters, three of whom passed


away during his lifetime. His parents, along
with other family members, settled in Ladhar, a
village near Sialkot, during the partition from
the Gurdaspur district of India. Their ancestors
belonged to the Rajput caste. His father,
Ghulam Muhammad, was not only a farmer in
the village but also a religious scholar, serving
as the Khatib and Imam at the local Masjid.

When Sheikh Sanaullah's father, Ghulam


Muhammad, arrived in Ladhar, there were no
Ahlul Hadith Muslims in the area.

He took the initiative to build an Ahlul Hadith


Masjid in his neighborhood and named it
Jami'a Masjid Gharbi. In 1955, Ghulam
Muhammad, along with his brothers, friends,
and local residents, purchased a small room-
like space for 11 rupees. Initially, this space
was used for the five daily prayers, and later,
regular Jumah prayers were organized.
Eventually, the responsibility for this Masjid fell
upon Sheikh Sanaullah himself, and he
consistently worked to expand and beautify it
over various periods of time. Alhamdulillah,
Jami'ah Masjid Gharbi continues to serve as a
central hub for the Ahlul Hadith da'wah in that
area, remaining active to this day.
Ghulam Muhammad's house was known as
"The House of the Maulanas," a term of
respect used for people with religious
knowledge. His neighborhood was referred to
as "The Neighborhood of the Maulanas," and
his street was called "The Street of the
Maulanas." This designation stemmed from the
entire family's dedication to upholding the
principles of the Quran and Sunnah. This
outcome is a testament to his sincerity, and
now, Alhamdulillah, there are more than seven
Ahlul Hadith Masajid in the surrounding areas
of the region, which are the direct result of his
initial efforts.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A),

His respected father was deeply devoted to the


religion. While he was in India, he frequently
attended the lectures of the renowned scholar
Sheikh Ul-Islam Sanaullah Amritsari (may Allah
have mercy on him).

After the partition of the Indian subcontinent,


Ghulam Muhammad emigrated to the newly
established Islamic homeland for Muslims,
Pakistan. Once there, he would invite the great
scholars of Ahlul Hadith to his village for
regular lessons and seminars, a privilege and
honor considering the difficulties of travel at
that time. As a result, hundreds of people
benefited from these gatherings. The impact of
this da'wah was so profound that hundreds of
individuals returned to the correct creed of
Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama'ah, the creed of the
Ahlul Hadith.
Ghulam Muhammad, the father of Sheikh
Sanaullah, was greatly influenced by Sheikh
Ul-Islam Sanaullah Amritsari and became an
admirer of his knowledge. He would embark on
foot journeys that took three days to reach him
and another three days to return. His father
had a wish that one of his sons would become
a religious scholar like Sheikh Sanaullah
Amritsari. When Allah, the Most High, blessed
Ghulam Muhammad with a son on Sunday, the
4th of April 1948 CE (24th Jumada Ul-Ula 1367
Hijra), he named him Sanaullah after the great
Sheikh, Sanaullah Amritsari.

At the age of five, his respected father enrolled


Sheikh Sanaullah in school, where he studied
up to the primary level. To provide him with a
proper religious education, in 1960 CE, his
father admitted him to Madrasah Dar Ul-Hadith
in Sialkot. This institute was founded by the
students of the great scholar, Ibrahim Mir
Sialkoti, particularly Hafidh Muhammad Sharif
and Sheikh Sadiq Sialkoti (may Allah have
mercy on them).

This Madrasa, Dar Ul-Hadith, was later


relocated to Masjid Ibrahimi in Miyanpurah,
and its name was changed to Jamia
Ibrahimiyya in honor of Sheikh Ibrahim Mir
Sialkoti. Eventually, the institution moved
again, this time to Nasir Road in Sialkot, and
today it is known as Jamiah Rahmaniya.

Sheikh Sanaullah spent two years studying at


Madrasah Dar Ul-Hadith. Afterward, in 1963
CE, he enrolled in the famous Islamic
University of Gujranwala and completed his
Dars Nizami studies there. By 1969 CE, he had
graduated with a degree in Islamic Studies
from the aforementioned university.
During his time at the university, he studied
Sahih-ul-Bukhari with a renowned scholar of
recent times, the Muḥaddith Sheikh
Muhammad Gondolwi (may Allah have mercy
on him). He obtained a chain of narration from
him in the Tafsir of the Quran. Among his
contemporaries at the University of Gujranwala
were many famous scholars and advocates of
the religion of Allah.

They include:

- The great caller to the Sunnah and a brave


defender of the correct creed against the
enemies of Tawheed Sheikh Ehsan Ilahi Dhahir
(may Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Irshad Ul-Haq Athari (may Allah
preserve him)
- Sheikh Ul-Hadith Sheikh Mas'ud Alam (may
Allah preserve him)
- Professor Yusuf Sajad (may Allah have mercy
on him)
- Sheikh Ul-Hadith Sheikh Muhammad A'dham
(may Allah have mercy on him)
- The famous caller, Sheikh Habib Ur-Rehman
Yazdani (may Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Hafidh Ur-Rehman Lakhvi (may Allah
preserve him)
- The great caller to Islam and Tawheed in the
U.K., Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Mirpuri (may
Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Salahudin Yusuf (may Allah have
mercy on him)

By 1970 CE, Sheikh Sanaullah had


successfully completed the Advanced Arabic
Teaching Program in Pakistan, known
as Fazil Arabic, at a private institute, which
qualified him to teach Arabic.

Then he passed the AOT (Assessment of


Training) exam and joined the Pakistani Armed
Forces as an Imam and Khatib. During this
time, he also successfully completed the
National Metric Exam.

In 1982 CE, he completed a Qadhi course in


Lahore. In 1986 CE, he passed the
examination of the Federation of Salafi Schools
and obtained a B.A. from Punjab University.

In total, Sheikh Sanaullah taught as an Arabic


and Islamic Studies teacher in various schools
and institutes for thirteen years. Among those
counted as his teachers are:

- Sheikh Ul-Hadith, Sheikh Muhammad Ali


Janbaz (may Allah have mercy on him)
- Professor Abdul Qayyum of Lahore (may
Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Ul-Hadith, the great Muḥaddith Sheikh
Muhammad Gondolwi (may Allah have mercy
on him)
- Sheikh Ul-Hadith, Sheikh Abul Barakat (may
Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Fazlur Rahman of Lahore (may Allah
have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Syed Muhammad Mateen Hashmi
(may Allah have mercy on him)
- Sheikh Abdul Majid Sohal (may Allah have
mercy on him)
- Sheikh Abdul Malik Hanafi (may Allah have
mercy on him)
- Sheikh Abdul Rahman Lakhvi (may Allah
have mercy on him)
- Professor Qadhi Maqbul Ahmad (may Allah
have mercy on him)
- Colonel Abdul Ghafur (may Allah have mercy
on him)
- Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Mirpuri (may Allah
have mercy on him)

Allah, the Most High, blessed Sheikh


Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A) with a remarkable
talent for writing. Following the passing of
Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Mirpuri (may Allah
have mercy on him), Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti
(R.A) regularly contributed a column to the
monthly "Straight Path" magazine, featured in
the section titled "Bitter and Sweet."
Additionally, he occasionally wrote for other
newspapers and magazines.

He also undertook the compilation of three


books authored by Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad
Mirpuri: "Fatawa of the Straight Path," "Bitter
and Sweet," and "Maqalat." Furthermore,
Sheikh Sanaullah authored his own works,
including "Golden Events of True Dreams."

In his book "Golden Events of True Dreams,"


Sheikh Sanaullah expresses his gratitude,
acknowledging that it was by Allah's blessings
that he had the favorable circumstances to
publish various books. This underscores
Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti's humility.

In the book's preface, he pays tribute to the


scholars of truth and elders of the religion who
dedicated their lives to the teachings of the
Quran and Sunnah, tirelessly promoting the
prophetic mission of da'wah and preaching.
This reflects his
deep connection to the people of the Sunnah
and Tawheed.

Several editions of the book "Bitter and Sweet"


have also been published.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A) authored a


book titled "Asfar E-Nabi" (Journeys of the
Prophet) where he discusses some of the
journeys of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
This unique book, filled with valuable content,
has been published by his sons after his
passing. It's currently in the process of being
translated into English.

Out of his love for Pakistan, he penned a book


on the importance of the country. He also
authored a fascinating book on the
occurrences that have affected both good and
bad people, leaving readers amazed and
bewildered at the same time.

Another one of his books delves into stories of


poverty. After reading this book, one's own
hardships seem to fade, replaced by a sense
of gratitude towards Allah. Many individuals
have found guidance on the straight path
through his books and articles, a testament to
the significant impact of his work for the sake
of Allah.

During his lifetime, these books were


published, and now there is an ongoing project
to republish them through different publishers.
Following his passing, his Friday sermons and
other speeches have been compiled into book
form under the supervision of his sons. The
first and second
volumes have already been published.
Additionally, efforts are underway to translate
all of Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti's (R.A) books
into various languages.

Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A), may Allah


have mercy on him, was a dedicated teacher
who shared his knowledge with others,
imparting what he had learned himself. He
regularly gave lectures on the Quran and
Hadith, and his teachings of Sahih Bukhari
were met with great interest from many
students. He continued this noble endeavor
until the final days of his life. An incredible
testament to his remarkable life is that his last
lesson on Sahih Bukhari, held in Walthamstow,
North-east London, centered around the
famous Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon
him).

Who Said:

"Allah Will Not Deprive You Of Knowledge (by


Taking It Away From The Chests) After He Has
Given It To You, But It Will Be Taken Away
Through The Death Of The Religious Learned
Men With Their knowledge. Then There Will
Remain Ignorant People Who, When
Consulted, Will Give Verdicts According To
Their Opinions Whereby They Will Mislead
Others And Go Astray(themselves)."

(Reported By Bukhari in His Sabib, No.6877)

During the lesson, a student posed a question:


"O our Sheikh, how is it possible that
knowledge will be taken near the Day of
Judgment?"
Sheikh Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A), may Allah
have mercy on him, responded: "Allah will
remove the pious scholars from the world, and
people like us will be left without knowledge."

Almost precisely three days after this solemn


yet profound response from the Sheikh, his
health deteriorated, and he was admitted to the
hospital. A few days later, on the 12th of
February 2021 CE, he passed away. Indeed, to
Allah, we belong, and to Him, we shall return.

Allah, the Most High, blessed Sheikh


Sanaullah Sialkoti (R.A) with five sons and one
daughter. His five sons are as follows:

Ziaullah, the eldest among them, is an


electrical engineer by profession. After his
father's passing, he has assumed the
responsibility of delivering the Jummah
Khutbah and performing religious duties in the
same manner as his father, may Allah have
mercy on him.

Samiuallah, who, alongside his father, used to


run their own business. After his father's
demise, he has taken on the leading role in
managing the Samr Trust charity. He oversees
all the day-to-day affairs of the trust.

The three youngest sons have all pursued


careers in medicine and are specialists in
various fields:

- Dr. Matee ullah


- Dr. Kaleem ullah
- Dr. Zabeeh ullah
All the sons of Sheikh Sanaullah have been
fortunate to receive both religious and
contemporary education. They have acquired a
strong foundation in the fundamental principles
of religion from their illustrious father, may Allah
have mercy on him.

Undoubtedly, like all other truth seekers,


Sheikh Sanaullah inherited the noble
responsibility of spreading goodness to all of
humanity. He exemplified this when he traveled
to Britain and assumed the role of leading
Markaz Jamiat Ahlul Hadith. During this
immensely productive, active, and blessed
period, he journeyed to numerous countries to
engage in da'wah (preaching) and
humanitarian efforts.

For instance, he visited Sri Lanka and the


Maldives following the devastating tsunami,
providing assistance and support to those
affected. In the wake of the earthquake in
Kashmir, he also traveled there to engage in
humanitarian work in collaboration with
reputable and trustworthy organisations.
Sheikh Sanaullah, may Allah have mercy on
him, recognized the pressing need for welfare
initiatives within the Muslim Ummah. In
response, he not only encouraged but also
established a separate branch of Markaz
Jamiat Ahlul Hadith dedicated specifically to
welfare work. Later, upon his retirement from
Jamiat Ahlul Hadith in 2011 CE, he joined
forces with his sons to establish the Samr Trust
Charity.

The motivation behind this charitable endeavor


was Sheikh Sanaullah's solemn oath to Allah,
which he made in the late 80s before coming to
the UK. He vowed that if Allah blessed
one of his sons to become a doctor, he would
dedicate a certain portion of their earnings to
help the poor and needy in the way of Allah,
ultimately contributing to the construction of a
hospital. By the mercy and blessings of Allah,
three of his sons, as mentioned earlier, fulfilled
this vow by becoming doctors.

Through the Samr Trust, Sheikh Sanaullah


Sialkoti (R.A) has provided and facilitated a
range of vital services, including:

- The installation of 50 filter plants and solar


power plants in Pakistan.
- The distribution and installation of 1000
freshwater hand pumps in some of the poorest
and remotest areas of Punjab, Sarhad,
Baluchistan, and Sindh in Pakistan.
- Operation of free dispensaries in various
regions, where hundreds of people receive free
medical treatment daily.
- Provision of free food to the neediest and
most deprived areas.
- Offering free ambulance services in crucial
locations.
- Establishment of multiple sewing machine
schools where hundreds of girls have learned
the skill of sewing.
- Distribution of gifts and Qurbani meat to the
poor on Eid days.
- Installation of solar-powered water wells.
- Construction of community centers and
schools in different areas.
During Sheikh Sanaullah's final treatment, as
his health deteriorated, and following
consultations with the doctors, the family was
granted the opportunity to spend their last
moments with him. They were allowed to come
together, bearing in mind that COVID-19
regulations were still in effect at that time.

In his final moments, Sheikh Sanaullah shared


these words with his eldest son, who was
present with him at the hospital:

"All thanks be to Allah, it is by Allah's favor.


Continue the work of the charity, do not abuse
anyone, and do not oppress anyone."

These were the last words of Sheikh Sanaullah


Sialkoti, spoken during a brief moment with his
eldest son. He expressed contentment and
gestured towards the heavens, indicating that
everything should be left in Allah's hands.
Afterward, he fell unconscious and, two weeks
later, he passed away. His departure from this
world was indeed a tragedy and an unbearable
shock for the Jamiat Ahul Hadith of Britain and
around the world. May Allah, the Almighty,
grant him a place in Jannatul Firdaws. Ameen.

Undoubtedly, Sheikh Sanaullah dedicated


himself to the cause and promotion of the Ahlul
Hadith methodology in Britain, emphasizing the
call to Tawheed (monotheism) and the Sunnah
(the practices of the Prophet). His funeral
prayer in England was led by Sheikh Aqil
Mahmud, the son of his
dear friend Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Mirpuri.
May Allah have mercy upon both of them.
Indeed, his funeral prayer was offered in
absentia at various mosques of the Markaz
Jamiat Ahlul Hadith of Britain, as well as in
different parts of Pakistan, including his
hometown of Ladhar in Sialkot.

May the sky shed dew on his grave, and may


spaciousness and light fill the abode in which
he now resides. Ameen.
O' Allah, Forgive Our Sheikh And Have Mercy
On Him. Protect And Pardon Him, Honour His
Rank And Make His Resting Ground Spacious.
O Allah Wash Him With Pure, Fresh And Cold
Water And Purify Him From Any Impurity Or
Sin Just As The White Cloth Is Pure. O' Allah
Make His Abode In The Hereafter Better Than
His Previous Life And His Company Better
Than The Previous One And Protect Him From
The Trial Of The Grave And The Punishment
Of The Fire.

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