Al-Rawd al-Majud

‘al-Rawd al-Majud’: Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi and the Enduring Impact of his Discourse on wahdat al-wujud

Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was not only an Imam in the transmitted and rational sciences, but also a Chishti Sufi in his spiritual practice (suluk). A profound defender of the concept of wahdat al-wujud, he wasn't a mere follower (muqallid) in this matter. He possessed a 'mujtahid-like' insight into the concept, and with this kind of knowledge, he was able to understand & teach it in a profound way.

Mawlana Khair ud-Din, father of Abul Kalam Azad, said: "I have never seen anyone as eloquent as him in my entire life. He was unparalleled in both (public) gatherings and classroom lectures. One of his discourses on wahdat al-wujud became so famous that the learned travelled great distances to hear him speak." (Naqsh-e-Azad, page 309)

Prompted by his brother, Mawlana Muhammad Afzal, Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi then put this very discourse into writing. He titled the book ‘al-Rawd al-Majood’, a treasure trove for any skilled and pure seeker of the path of the ‘people of verification’.

Adapted from Sharaf-i-Millat, Allama Abd al-Hakim Sharaf Qadri

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