Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri addresses a nationwide Khatm-e-Sahih al-Bukhari Gathering

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri addressed a nationwide Khatm-e-Sahih al-Bukhari gathering organized by Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan.

The event, held on December 15, 2024, witnessed the participation of over 20,000 scholars, religious leaders, heads of religious boards, principals of seminaries, Hadith experts, teachers, as well as male and female students from across the country. Shaykh-ul-Islam delivered an insightful lecture on Sahih al-Bukhari at this grand intellectual and scholarly gathering.

At the beginning of his address, Shaykh-ul-Islam congratulated the organizers for hosting such a historic event and extended his heartfelt appreciation and prayers to the thousands of scholars, Hadith experts, researchers, preachers, educators, and students from various schools of thought for their participation.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri emphasized the urgent need to revive the culture of Ummah unity to minimize the divisions caused by secondary issues. He stressed focusing on commonalities rather than differences, noting that the Ummah's various sects and schools of thought share more in common than they differ. He highlighted that this gathering of thousands of scholars and Hadith experts in honor of the Sunnah and Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ serves as a powerful response to the challenges posed by those denying the authenticity of Hadith.

Strengthening the relationship of Muslims with the Hadith and Sunnah is essential to counter the threats of disbelief and irreligiosity, as protecting the faith cannot be achieved without preserving the Hadith and Sunnah, he explained.

Shaykh-ul-Islam called on all schools belonging to different schools of thought to unite to revive the culture of Hadith and Sunnah to safeguard future generations from the denial of Hadith. He stressed that promoting moderation and balance while eradicating extremism requires understanding that every sect of the Ummah holds elements of truth, and no group has exclusive rights to it. Thus, tolerance and mutual respect among all sects must be nurtured, he emphasized.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri urged transforming differences into blessings rather than a source of trouble. Highlighting the need of the hour, he discouraged labeling others as misguided or unbelievers based on minor differences. He expressed joy over the participation of scholars from all corners of Pakistan, from Karachi to Khyber and Kashmir, including prominent institutions such as Dar-ul-Uloom Haqqania Akora Khattak and Jamia Tur Rasheed Karachi, making the gathering a remarkable demonstration of Ummah unity.

Shaykh-ul-Islam stated that coming together for Hadith and Sunnah is equivalent to uniting in the love of the Prophet ﷺ. He called for abandoning division and adopting broad-mindedness and inclusivity. Drawing lessons from the forefathers who converted non-Muslims to Islam through their efforts, he lamented the current trend of excommunicating fellow Muslims over minor disputes. He said that the time has come to tear down the walls of takfir (declaring others non-believers) and strive for unity, harmony, and solidarity among the Ummah, reviving the values of faith and ensuring their transmission to the next generations.

In his lecture, Shaykh-ul-Islam elaborated on the virtues and significance of Sahih al-Bukhari and presented a detailed account of the life of Imam Bukhari (RA), shedding light on the historical context of the Khatm-e-Sahih al-Bukhari.

He also taught Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, explaining their meanings and elaborating on Imam Bukhari's profound love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, as reflected in his selection of Hadith. He noted that Imam Bukhari (RA) concluded Sahih al-Bukhari with Hadith condemning the Khawarij, underscoring the importance of learning faith from authentic scholars rather than misguided groups. Addressing the attendees, Shaykh-ul-Islam urged scholars and students to remain steadfast in justice, balance, and moderation, avoiding succumbing to oppression or selling their conscience. He advised them to adhere to the path of the pious predecessors, model their character after the life of the Prophet ﷺ, and reject the tendencies of corrupt scholars.

One of the highlights of the gathering was the granting of Hadith transmission authorizations (ijazat) to over 20,000 scholars in the traditional manner of the Hadith scholars, establishing their connection to renowned chains of transmission. These included:
Shaykh-ul-Islam's chain of transmission to Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlavi with only four intermediaries.

• A single link to Imam Yusuf bin Ismail al-Nabhani.
• A single link to Ala Hazrat Shah Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi.
• A single link to Shah Imdadullah Muhajir Makki.
• A single link to Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri.
• Four links to Imam Alusi al-Baghdadi.
• Six links to Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti.
• Six links to Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani.
• Eleven links to Imam Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari.
• Fifteen links to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.

A large number of female scholars also attended this educational gathering. Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Chairman of Minhaj-ul-Quran Supreme Council, and Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, welcomed the scholars and religious leaders.

The event featured recitation of the Quran by Qari Khalid Hameed Kazmi Al-Azhari and Na’at by Haji Muhammad Afzal Noshahi. The proceedings were conducted by Allama Ain-ul-Haq Baghdadi, Allama Ashfaq Ali Chishti, and Dr. Muhammad Farooq Rana. The gathering included prominent figures such as: Maulana Syed Muhammad Yusuf Shah from Jamia Haqqania Akora Khattak; Allama Pir Muhammad Saeed Hussain Qadri from Astana Aliya Chishtia Karimiyah, Dag Ismail Khel, Nowshera; Mufti Muhammad Zubair Faheem, President of Ittehad-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan; Dr. Mir Asif Akbar Qadri, Secretary-General of Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan; Hazrat Maulana Sheikh-ul-Hadith Mufti Muhammad Sahib, Secretary-General of Majma-ul-Uloom Al-Islamia Pakistan; Dr. Allama Atta-ur-Rehman, Secretary-General of Rabita-ul-Madaris Pakistan and Deputy Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan; Dr. Mufti Muhammad Karim Khan, Chairman of Wafaq-ul-Madaris Al-Islamia Al-Razawiyyah; Allama Dr. Naeemuddin Al-Azhari from Dar-ul-Uloom Muhammadiya Ghausia, Bhera; Mufti Pir Hameed Jan Saifi, Sheikh-ul-Hadith at Jamia Muhammadiyah Saifiyah; Dr. Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Emir of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan; Allama Syed Muhammad Ishaq Naqvi, Emir of Jamaat Ahl-e-Sunnat Kashmir; Allama Dr. Shehzad Mujaddidi, Head of Dar-ul-Ikhlas; Allama Mufti Imdadullah Khan Qadri, President of Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan and Principal of Jamia Hujwairiya, Lahore; Mufti Irfanullah Ashrafi, Principal of Jamia Hujwiri, Lahore; Mufti Hanif Chishti, Administrator of Jamia Muhammadiyah, Lahore; Sahibzada Dewan Usman Farid, Custodian of the Shrine of Baba Farid-ud-Din Ganj Shakar; Sahibzada Syed Ali Chan Raza Qadri, Custodian of the Shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir; Sahibzada Pir Nasiruddin Chiragh Faridi, Custodian of Garhi Ikhtiyar Sharif; Dr. Mufti Muhammad Imran Anwar Nizami, Khateeb of Baba Farid-ud-Din Ganj Shakar, Pakpattan; Allama Mufti Muhammad Ramzan Sialvi, Khateeb of Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hujwiri, Lahore; Allama Dr. Mufti Muhammad Waheed Qadri, Principal of Jamia Rizvia, Model Town, Lahore; Allama Sahibzada Badr-ul-Zaman Qadri, Administrator of Jamia Ghaus-ul-Uloom; Mufti Naeem Javed Noori, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Lahore, Punjab; Pir Karamullah Ilahi, also known as Dilbar Sain, Custodian of Astana Aliya Naqshbandia Matli Sharif, Badin; Allama Asadullah Noori, Sheikh-ul-Hadith at Jamia Ghausia Rizvia, Gulberg, Lahore; Allama Sahibzada Dr. Anwar Muhammad, Administrator of Jamia Muhammadiyah Qadriya, Chakdara, Malakand; Mufti Ghulam Asghar Siddiqui, President of Minhaj-ul-Quran Ulema Council; Mufti Nadeem Qadri, Sheikh-ul-Hadith at Jamia Faridiya, Sahiwal; and Mufti Numan Jalandhari, and many other notable scholars.

This esteemed assembly of religious leaders and scholars added to the significance of the event.

Prominent scholars and leaders from across Pakistan delivered their remarks, praising Shaykh-ul-Islam’s revivalist contributions and his role in promoting Hadith sciences. They lauded the continuation of the Khatm-e-Bukhari tradition and emphasized its importance for the unity and spiritual enrichment of the Ummah.