Khwaja Abdullah Ansari
Abu Ismaïl Abdullah ibn Abi-Mansour Mohammad or Khajah Abdullah Ansari of Herat (1006-1088) (Persian: خواجه عبدالله انصاري) was a famous Persian Sufi who lived in the 11th century in Herat (then Khorasan, now a city of Afghanistan).
He is known as the Pious of Herat (Persian: پير هرات) as he lived and died in Herat city. He is also known as "Shaikul Mashayekh" (Arabic: شيخ المشايخ) [Master of (Sufi) Masters] and his another title was "Shaikhul Islam".
He was the disciple of Shaikh Abul Hassan Kharaqani, for whom he had deep respect and faith, as he has said: "Abdullah was a hidden treasure, and its key was in the hands of Abul Hassan Kharaqani."
He wrote several books on Islamic mysticism and philosophy in Persian and Arabic. His most famous work is "Munajat Namah" (literally "Litanies or dialogues with God"), which is considered a masterpiece of Persian literature. After his death, his students and disciples compiled his teachings about the Tafsir of Quran, and named it "Kashful Asrar". This is the best and lengthiest Sufi Tafsir of Quran, being published several times in 10 volumes.
He excelled in the knowledge of Hadith, history, and Ilm ul-Ansaab. He used to avoid the company of the rich, powerful and the influential. His yearly majlis-e-wa"az was attended by people from far and wide. Whatever his disciples and followers used to present to him was handed over to the poor and the needy. He is said to have had a very impressive personality, and used to dress gracefully. One of his most significant and ardent followers was Imam Ibn Taymiyah.
Tomb in Herat
He practiced the Hanbali fiqh, one of the four Sunni schools of law or jurisprudence. His shrine, built during the Timurid Dynasty, is a popular pilgrimage site for Persians/Tajiks.
Ancestry and Relationship to Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
Khwajah Abdullah Ansari of Herat was a direct descendant of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, and was the ninth in line from him. The lineage is described, and traced in the family history records[4], as follows;
Abu Ismail Khajeh Abdollah Ansari, son of Abu Mansoor Balkhi, son of Jaafar, son of Abu Mu"aaz, son of Muhammad, son of Ahmad, son of Jaafar, son of Abu Mansoor al-Taabi"i, son of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
In the reign of the third Caliph amongst the Khulafaa-e-Rashideen of Islam, Uthman ibn Affan, Abu Mansoor al-Taabi"i took part in the conquest of Khorasan, and subsequently settled in Herat, his descendant Khwajah Abdullah Ansari died there in 1088.
Descendants and the School of Firangi Mahal
His direct descendants moved to Hindostaan, and played a key role in the development of Islamic thought, education, and the spread of Islam in Hindostaan. The most famous and significant descendants was Qutub al-Aalam Shaikh Khawaja Alauddin Ansari of Herat, followed by Makhdoom Nizamuddin Ansari of Sehali, Barabanki, Oudh, and Qutub Shaheed Mulla Qutubuddin Ansari Shaheed, of Sehali, Barabanki, Oudh.
The descendants of Mulla Qutubuddin Ansari Shaheed founded the famous Firangi Mahal school of religious thought and education.
Khwajah Abdullah Ansari of Herat is also the ancestor of the line of Heravi Khajavi in Iran, whom among others reign the provins of Khorasan.
Books (in Persian)
Munajat Namah
Nasayeh
Zad-ul Arefeen
Kanz-ul Salikeen
Haft Hesar
Elahi Namah
Muhabbat Namah
Qalandar Namah
Resala-é Del o Jan
Resala-é Waredat
Sad Maidan
Resala Manaqib Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
Books (in Arabic)
Anwar al-Tahqeeq
Zem al-Kalam
Man?zel al-S?"er?n
Kitaab al-Frooq
Kitaab al-Arba"een
Source: wikipedia.org
Other Links:
Avicenna’s tomb photo gallery
Avicenna: List of works
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