Abdullah Ansari

Abu Ismaïl Abdullah ibn Abi-Mansour Mohammad or Khajah Abdullah Ansari of Herat (1006-1088) (Persian: خوجه عبدالله انصاری) was a famous Persian poet and Sufi (ancestor of the line of Heravi Khajavi).

He was born and died in Herat (then Khorasan, now one of the cities of Afghanistan), hence he is known as Pious of Herat. He is also known as "Shaikul Mashayekh" (Arabic: شیخ المشایخ) [Master of (Sufi) Masters] and his title was "Shaikhul Islam".

He was the disciple of Shaikh Abul Hassan Kharaqani. He had deep respect and faith for him, 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 holy 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.

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 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 , 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.

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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.

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
• Manāzel al-Sā'erīn
• Kitaab al-Frooq
• Kitaab al-Arba'een

See also

• Abul Hassan Kharaqani
• Ansari
• Firangi Mahal
• Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
• Shaikh Khawaja Alauddin Ansari
• Qutub Shaheed Mulla Qutubuddin Ansari Shaheed
• Khwaja 'Abd Allah Ansari shrine
• Khwaja