Eulogy

Oxford, Britain
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise and glorification are due to that Sacred Being whose eternal light has pierced through the darkness of ignorance and misguidance, spreading the illumination of truth and guidance. It is He, the Generous Lord, who, through His final and everlasting word, the Noble Qurʾān, has kindled an eternal lamp of guidance, salvation, and success for humanity. It is He who made a categorical promise to safeguard this blessed word, such that the mists of time, the dust of history, and the revolutions of centuries could not alter it in the least.

The pages of history bear witness that, in every age, Allah Most High raised such gifted, sincere, and devoted lovers of the Qurʾān who dedicated their lives to its service, the propagation of its recitation, and the perfection of its melodious recitation. The tireless efforts and pure devotion of these sanctified souls stand as living proof of the divine promise in which the Lord of Majesty took upon Himself the preservation and protection of His Holy Word.

Among these shining stars, a luminous and resplendent name is that of the esteemed Ustadh al-Qurrāʾ, Qārī ʿAbd al-Manʿān Ṣāḥib Aʿẓamī (may Allah have mercy upon him). His entire life was spent in attachment to the Noble Qurʾān, in serving it, and in spreading its light. His heart-rending, profound, and dignified voice was not merely an exemplar of the art of recitation, but a radiant proof of his immense love, deep sincerity, and penetrating understanding of the Qurʾān. His noble person was a living and effective image of the Qurʾān’s message, its beauty, and its profound meanings—one that could not fail to touch the hearts of those who heard or saw him.

Though I was not blessed with the opportunity of personally sitting in the company of Qārī Ṣāḥib (may Allah have mercy upon him), it is my good fortune that I have had the honour of sitting in the assemblies of his fortunate students, whose foreheads were illuminated by his scholarly and spiritual radiance, whose voices carried the pain of the Qurʾān, and whose hearts were imbued with its love. His recitation was not a mere collection of words, but a spiritual experience that penetrated the depths of the listener’s heart. The humility, dignity, and luminosity present in his character marked him as a special and unique traveller in the caravan that has, for centuries, been engaged in the service of this sacred book.

The present book, Tadhkirah Ustadh al-Qurrāʾ Hazrat Qārī ʿAbd al-Manʿān Ṣāḥib Aʿẓamī (may Allah have mercy upon him), is not merely a collection of a few pages, but the story of those golden impressions left by a great man in the fields of knowledge and action, sincerity and love, and service to the Qurʾān.

The compiler of this book, Janab Asʿad Nadīm Anṣārī bin Mawlānā Muhammad Nasīm Maʾwī Miftāḥī, is young in age, yet his research, diligence, and sincerity bear testimony to the fact that when the love of the Qurʾān takes root in the heart, the constraints of age become meaningless.

This book comprises three comprehensive chapters:
The first chapter reflects upon Qārī Ṣāḥib’s (may Allah have mercy upon him) early life, education, teaching, religious struggles, and tireless efforts, unveiling those sacred aspects of his life which serve as a beacon for any student of knowledge.
The second chapter, through authentic references and reliable books and journals, presents a scholarly and thoroughly researched portrait of his academic greatness and Qurʾānic services, transforming this memoir from a mere emotional narrative into a solid, scholarly, and historical document.
The third chapter includes the impressions of his contemporaries, students, and experts in the art of recitation, providing compelling testimony to the depth of his personality and the spiritual dignity he possessed.

The history of Islam continues to thrive through the efforts of such individuals. Hazrat Qārī ʿAbd al-Manʿān Ṣāḥib Aʿẓamī (may Allah have mercy upon him) was among those blessed souls whose very lives embodied the tafsīr of the Qurʾān, the brilliance of its light, and the reflection of its love. Such personalities are not merely products of their times, but rather come into the world under a divine purpose, gifting future generations with guiding lights through their actions and character.

The compiler’s effort represents a beautiful blend of knowledge and research, love and sincerity, and service to the Qurʾān. I pray that Allah Most High accepts this labour, makes it beneficial for scholars, students, reciters of the Qurʾān, and researchers, and grants us the ability to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Qārī Ṣāḥib (may Allah have mercy upon him).
May the Generous Lord forgive Hazrat Qārī ʿAbd al-Manʿān Ṣāḥib Aʿẓamī (may Allah have mercy upon him), elevate his ranks, and make this book a perpetual charity for him. Āmīn, O Lord of the Worlds.

Mohammed Akram Nadwi, Oxford
4 Muharram 1447 AH

Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/6331