HIDDEN GEMS

Hazrat Shaikh Dawood Al-Taai رضي الله عنه

by Mufti Omar Dawood

Hazrat Shaikh Dawood Al-Taai رضي الله عنه

NAME – Dawood son of Naseer

His Kuniyah (filial appellation) is Abu Sulaiman

APPELLATION – Al-Imaam (the master)

Al-Qudwah (the exemplar)

Al-Zaahid (one who practices abstinence from the world)

DATE OF BIRTH – He was born a few years after 100 A.H.

PLACE OF BIRTH – Kufa (Iraq)

AREA OF SERVICE – Kufa (Iraq)

SHUYOOKH AND TEACHERS –

Hishaam ibn Urwah, Abdul Malik ibn Umair, Humaid Al-Taweel, Sulaiman Al-A’mash, Imaam Abu Hanifah رضي الله عنهم أجمعين

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY –

Hazrat Dawood Tai رضي الله عنه was the exceptional student of Imaam Abu Hanifah رضي الله عنه and was critically acclaimed amongst the scholars of Iraq as being an erudite scholar of Hadeeth and Fiqh. Not withstanding his excellence in Ilm, his prowess and practice of Tasawuff and Tazkiyah endeared him to both the Ulama and Sufiya. In fact, the Ulama and Sufiya both regard him as their master and rightfully so!

He enjoyed the respect and honour of his contemporaries, this list includes Imaam Abu Yusuf, Imaam Muhammed, Fudhail ibn Ayaadh, Ibrahim Adham, Sufyaan Thauri, Abdullah ibn Mubaarak, Sufyaan ibn Uyainah رضي الله عنهم أجمعين

Hazrat Dawood Tai  رضي الله عنه was from the Atbaa-Tabaeen i.e. Khairul Quroon foretold by the Holy Prophet  صلي الله عليه و آله و سلم.

He inherited 400 Dirhams from the estate of his mother and he used this wealth for 20 years. This is an example of his Zohd (abstinence) from the world. After this money was exhausted, he began working in removing roofs of buildings to earn a living.

After performing Salaah in congregation in the Musjid, he would rush back to his home so as not to meet and get involved in the affairs of this world and its people.

Allamah Zahabi رضي الله عنه reports that Hazrat Dawood Tai رضي الله عنه would use a long, black Topi. This proves that using a Topi is from the practice of eminent Atba’Tabaeen. The Sufiya’s practice of using a specific Kulaah (Topi) can also be proven by this.

The neighbour of Hazrat Dawood Taiرضي الله عنه , Umme Saeed states, ‘There was a small wall between my house and the home of Dawood Tai. I was fortunate to hear his lament in prayer at nights and his eloquent recitation of Quraan in mornings. It was as if heavenly elegance and luster was found in his voice and surroundings.’

WISE SAYINGS -If you desire safety, safeguard yourself from the world. If you desire honour, be prepared to sacrifice the rewards of the hereafter.

DEMISE – 162 A.H. (Kufa)

FAMOUS STUDENTS AND DISCIPLES –

His most famed student or disciple was Hazrat Ma’roof Karkhi رضي الله عنه.

LOCATION OF HIS BLESSED GRAVE –Iraq

Allah جل جلاله bless us all through the pious means of Hazrat Shaikh Dawood Tai Hanafi رضي الله عنه.

References – (Extracted from – Siyaru A’alamin Nubalaa by Allamah Zahabi; Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah by Allamah Ibn Katheer; Kashful Mahjoob by Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh رضي الله عنهم أجمعين)