FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh) narrates in Husnul Azeez:
“Haafiz Ahmad Saahib, the Principal, narrated that Haaji Imdaadullah Saahib (Quddisa sirruhu) said: ‘Molvi Muhammad Qaasim Sahib (i.e. Hadhrat Maulana Qaasim Nanotwi) had always accepted wholeheartedly whatever I had said to him verbally or in writing. However, once he gave me such a curt reply which left me stunned. It was the occasion after the dismissal of Nawaab
Muhammad Ali Saahib, the Raees of Tonk when he desired to organize Khatm-e-Bukhaari in the Haram of Makkah Muazzamah. (He requested Hadhrat Haaji Sahib to intercede on his behalf for Hadhrat Nanotwi to participate in the Khatme Bukhaari jalsah. Hadhrat Haaji Sahib said to Maulana Nanotwi): ‘I have already promised Nawaab Muhammad Ali Saahib. You should now participate in the Khatam.
However, Maulana Nanotwi responded: ‘Hadhrat! I did not study Bukhaari Shareef for this.”
(Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi commented): “This had a very profound impact on Hadhrat Haaji Sahib.”
In this episode there is much food for thought and soul searching for those who enact Maulana Nanotwi Jalsahs and Khatm-e-Bukhaari Jalsahs. Even seniors fail to apply their minds when organizing these jalsahs which are functions of takabbur, riya and israaf. From the refusal of Hadhrat Maulana Nanotwi (Rahmatullah alayh) to participate in the Bukhaari jalsah held even in the Haram Shareef of Makkah Muazzamah and despite his Shaikh requesting him, others who organize such jalsahs using his name should reflect deeply and try to fathom their hearts and nafs: Would Hadhrat Nanotwi be happy with these jalsahs?

TAKEN FROM THE MAJLIS VOL 24 NUMBER 4

RAMADHAN 1438 /JUNE 2017

MUFTI TAQI’S BOMBSHELL COMMENTS ON THE BID’AT OF KHATM-E- BUKHARI JALSAS

The comments of Mufti Taqi Uthmani were made on the 12 March 2021 at the Annual ceremony of Khatm Bukhari Jamia Darul Uloom Education of Quran Raja Bazar Rawalpindi

Transcription follows:

Now since there is very little time, I shall therefore, Insha Allah, according to the directive, recite the last Baab of Bukhari Shareef Insha Allah, and my dear students have submitted that I give them ijaazat of Hadith. Insha Allah I shall do that as well.

However, before that I wish to submit (guzaarish) something. The guzaarish is that for some time now the ceremonies of Bukhari Shareef that have started in every street, every neighbourhood, every Madrasah; in such a way that I fear that these are going in the direction of Bid’at. This is also becoming an Urs. And I am the culprit behind it. For perhaps I was the first; upon Hazrat Maulana Nazeer Ahmed Saheb telling me in Faisalabad’s Jaamia Imdaadiyah Khatme-e-Bukhari. I attended and for several years I would attend.

At that time this thing was not so widespread. But now for Khatm-e-Bukhari elaborate invitations are printed and handed out; notices are put up and then people are invited; and then someone is called from out of town; an extravagant gathering (ijtima) is enacted. My heartfelt appeal is that this should be reviewed.

This is a place [the Madrasah] where Bid’aat are uprooted. They are uprooted or not? So, if from here, if the end of this Bid’at is announced then it will be much appreciated. Or I don’t say that it is a Bid’at, but it will become (a Bida’t), if such importance is attached to it. Is it not so, O Maulana Abdul Ghaffaar Saheb? (Jee, Jee)

For this reason, it is my appeal that you reconsider. There were Khatm-e-e-Bukharis in Darul Uloom Deoband as well. There were also by Hazrat Shaikhul Hind (Rahmatullahi alaih); also by Hazrat Shah Anwar Shah Saheb Kashmiri (Rahmatullahi alaih) also by Hazrat Maulana Madani (Rahmatullahi alaih). Did you ever here that those illustrious personalities organized a Huge Jalsah for Khatm-e-Bukhari?!

Since some things initially seem appealing, however, later when it is incumbently carried out, and if any Madrasah does not have it then it is looked upon as strange. “They did not even have a Bukhari Khatm!”. So, this Iltizaam Maa Laa Yalzam (making incumbent that which is not incumbent) is in fact the beginning of Bid’aat.

So my request to all my brothers and friends; Maulana Abdul Ghaffaar is sitting; Maulana Zahoor Ali’s son is sitting; my request to all of them is, and I shall, Insha Allah also send this message out, that in future do not allow this to become a Bid’at. If there is dastaarbandi then let it be. However, the Saheeh Bukhari Khatm with the title Saheeh Bukhari Jalsah which are now taking place, I understand that we should desist from it. (Emphasis added)

End of Transcript