Learning from our Heritage: Guiding Light for Today

Introduction

This week brings with it two occasions that remind us of the importance of faith, knowledge, and spiritual wisdom. Both resonate strongly with the challenges Muslims face today, especially in shaping communities rooted in guidance, ethical reflection, and creativity.

4 Rabi‘ al-Thani: Birth of Hazrat ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Hasani (173 AH)

Hazrat ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Hasani (peace be upon him) was a devoted scholar and transmitter of the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt. Through his narrations, he played a pivotal role in spreading authentic Islamic knowledge and preserving spiritual heritage.

His legacy highlights the need to seek truth from trustworthy sources and to transmit knowledge responsibly. The Qur’an instructs:

فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (النحل، 43)

“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.” (Al-Nahl 16:43)

Message for Muslims Today: Prioritise learning from authentic and reliable scholars to strengthen faith and protect communities from misinformation.

8 Mehr (30 September): Commemoration of Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Balkhi

Mawlānā (d. 1273 CE) is one of the most celebrated Muslim poets and mystics, whose works invite people to sincerity, love of God, and unity beyond superficial differences. His words continue to inspire seekers of truth across the world.

The Mathnawi Ma‘nawi, as one of Mawlānā’s literary and mystical masterpieces, is deeply imbued with Islamic and Qur’anic insight. He regarded the Qur’an as having a unique place in guiding understanding, and in many of his poems he adorned his words with Qur’anic references. In one passage he explains:

معنی قرآن ز قرآن پرس و بس                                      وز کسی که آتش زدست اندر هوس

“The meaning of the Qur’an is to be sought only in the Qur’an itself,

Or from one whose worldly desires have been burned away by divine piety.” (Masnavi, Book V, Line 3128)

Message for Muslims Today: Let the spirit of faith, ethical conduct, and God-centred unity shape our engagement with others in multicultural societies.

Last word

Both occasions this week – the birth of Hazrat ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Hasani and the commemoration of Mawlānā – emphasise a timeless truth: to build a just and meaningful life, and a healthy society, we must hold fast to authentic knowledge rooted in the Qur’an and Ahl al-Bayt, while embodying ethics and spirituality in our daily interactions.

Hazrat ‘Abd al-‘Azim served as a transmitter of divine knowledge of Ahl al-Bayt, and Mawlānā wove Qur’anic wisdom into his poetry to inspire generations. Today, Muslims can draw on these two heritages to illuminate a clear path forward – one built on truth, faith, and God-centredness.