Imam Sayid Abdul Wahaab Ash Sha’raani
By Moulana Mohamed Saleh Joosab Arbee Qadri Moeeni
Name/ Title
Al-Qutb Ar-Rabbani, Al Aarif Billah, As Sayyid, Abul Mawaahib, Abu Abdur Rahmaan Abdul Wahaab Ash Sha’raani e
DOB/DOD
Born in 897 A.H and Passed away in 973 A.H
Region
Originally born and brought up in Rif (Northern Morroco), and in 911 A.H at the age of 12 he moved to and settled in Egypt.
Synopsis Intro
Imam Sha’raani e described his genealogical background himself in his book Lataaiful Minan wal Akhlaaq and listed the names of his forefathers right until Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Hanfiya s/o Sayyiduna Ali E. At the tender age of 12 he came to Cairo, Egypt and stayed at the Mosque of Abul Abbaas al Ghamri e. Here the Shaykh of the mosque and his sons were extremely kind towards him and treated him as he was part of the family. It was from here onwards that he studied all sciences of religious knowledge from various Mashaaikh, and thereafter he also began teaching from this mosque.
Teachers/Mashaaikh
From amongst the Sufi Masters that he benefitted from are Shaykh Ali al Khawwaas e, Shaykh Ibraheem Al Matbool e and Shaykh Saalih Afzalud Deen Ahmadi e
Books authored
It is mentioned that Imam Sha’raani e authored approximately 300 books in his lifetime on various topics. A few are listed as follows
- Al Bahrul Maurood Fil Mawaatheeq wal Uhood
- Kashful Ghummah An Jamee’il Ummah
- Al Badrul Muneer fi Ghareebil ahadith il Basheerin Nazheer
- Minhaajul Usool ilaa Ilmil Usool
- Al Yawaaqeet wal Jawaahir fi Bayaani Aqaaidil Akaabir
- Tabqaatus Sufiya (At Tabqaatul Kubraa
And many others
Brief Bio
According to certain narrations, Imam Sha’raani e moved to northern Egypt fulfilling the prediction of Shaykh Abu Madyan al Maghribi . He was orphaned at a young age and stayed at the Jaami’ of Abul Abbas Al Ghamry e (As mentioned before). He met several great scholars like Imam Jalaaludeen Suyuti . He followed the Shaf’i Madhab in Fiqh, and the Shaazhili Tariqah in Tasawwuf. His greatest contribution was the many books he wrote and him defending the statements of earlier Sufi masters like Hazrat Ba Yazeed Bustami e and Shaykh Muhiyudeen Ibn al Arabi e. He had established a flourishing institute with thousands of students. He offered external and internal knowledge (Uloom uzh Zhaahir and Uloom ul Baatin). Imam Sha’raani e was very passionate about narrations concerning the end times. The most remembered and quoted works of his are Mizaan ul Kubra, Lataaiful Minan and al Yawaaqeet wal Jawaahir. He e foretold that the Ottoman Sultan Salim would conquer Egypt and he praised the Sultan.
Mazaar Location
Imam Sha’raani’s e Mazaar is situated at the Ash Shaarany Mosque, El Gamaleya, Qism El Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.
