Hazrat Syed Naeemuddin Muradabadi: Scholar and Spiritual Leader

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 25 September 2025 Maulana Syed Naeemuddin Muradabadi, known as Sadr-ul-Afaazil, was a leading 20th-century Islamic scholar, jurist, and Sufi. A prolific author, teacher, and activist, he influenced South Asian Islamic education, politics, and spirituality, leaving behind renowned works, disciples, and a lasting Qadri Naeemi spiritual chain. Main Points: 1. Authored Khaza’in al-Irfan, Fatawa Sadr-ul-Afaazil, and numerous scholarly works. 2. Teacher of Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi and other leading scholars. 3. Spiritual successor in Qadri, Razvi, and Chishti Ashrafi orders. 4. Passed away in 1948, buried at Jaamia Naeemia, Muradabad. ----- Maulana Syed Naeemuddin Muradabadi was a prominent Islamic scholar, jurist, and spiritual leader in early 20th-century India. Recognized by his honorific titles “Sadr-ul-Afaazil” (Leader of the Most Learned) and “Qudwat-ul-Ulama” (Guide for Scholars), his influence extended across the realms of theology, jurisprudence, education, and the socio-political landscape of his time. His legacy endures through his extensive written works, the generation of scholars he educated, and the spiritual order he helped propagate. He was Born on 21st Safar 1300 Hijri (1st January 1887) in Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh, his lineage traces back to Mashhad, Iran, with ancestors who migrated to India during the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's reign. He received his early education in Urdu and Persian from his father, Maulana Syed Moeen-ud-deen. Demonstrating remarkable intellectual promise, he memorized the Holy Quran by the age of eight. He completed the traditional Dars-e-Nizaami curriculum under the guidance of Shah Fazl Ahmad and pursued advanced studies in Islamic jurisprudence at Madrasa Imdaadiya in Muradabad under Shah Muhammad Gul. His formal education culminated in 1900 when he received a formal certification (Sanad) authorizing him to issue legal opinions (Iftaa), qualifying him as a Mufti. His scholarly pursuits were not limited to religious sciences alone; he also formally studied medicine (Tibb) under Allama Hakim Shah Fazl Ahmad Amrohi. Maulana Muradabadi distinguished himself as a polymath with expertise in Quranic exegesis (Tafseer), Prophetic traditions (Hadith), jurisprudence (Fiqh), philosophy, and logic. His scholarly output was substantial and diverse. Among his most significant works is ‘Khaza'in-al-Irfaan’, a commentary on the Quranic translation ‘Kanz-ul-Emaan’. He also authored ‘Kitaab-ul-Aqaa'id’, a treatise on Islamic creed, and ‘Fataawa Sadr ul Afaazil’, a compilation of his legal opinions. His literary contributions extended to historical and biographical works, such as ‘Sirat-e-Sahaabah, detailing the lives of the Prophet's companions, and ‘Sawaaneh Karbala’. He was also a poet, with his Urdu poetry collected in ‘Riyaaz-e-Naeem’ and ‘Deewaan-e-Urdu’. Maulana Muradabadi often used to say: ‘Many people received various kinds of blessings from the court of A‘la Hazrat, but the greatest blessing I received was faith. And if I received it from anywhere, it was from the noble court of A‘la Hazrat.’ (Pasban, Allahabad, November 1955, page 18) A central pillar of Maulana Muradabadi's impact was his role as an educator. He nurtured a generation of scholars who became leading figures in Islamic scholarship across South Asia. His students, such as Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi, Mujaahid e Millat Maulana Habeeb-ur-Rahman, among many others, went on to establish their own schools of thought and institutions, significantly shaping Islamic education in India and Pakistan. The breadth and prominence of his students attest to his stature as a principal teacher of his era. Beyond the confines of the seminary, Maulana Muradabadi was actively engaged in the broader socio-religious issues of his day. He participated in the Khilafat Movement, delivering speeches in support of the cause. His leadership was instrumental in the activities of the All India Sunni Conference; he delivered the inaugural address at its opening ceremony in 1918 and later served as the chief organizer for its conference in Banaras in 1942. This public role highlights his position as a figure who connected traditional scholarship with contemporary political and social movements. After he (Maulana Muradabadi) had acquired outward knowledge, you yearned for spiritual knowledge. With this thirst, you went to Tilasia in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. At that time, the spiritual influence of Hazrat Shah Muhammad Sher was widespread. Hearing of his fame, you too reached him and stayed in his service for a few days. One day he called you and said: “The spiritual blessings that are meant for you are not with me. If I give them to you, then where would your rightful share go?” Shah Ji further said: “Your rightful share lies with your teacher, Shah Muhammad Gul Kabuli Qadri.” On hearing this, you took leave and went to the court of your true Murshid. You searched here and there, and when your Murshid learned that you had come from Pilibhit of your own accord, he embraced you at his feet and said: “You know everything in secret, my son, then why take such trouble?” Immediately, he bestowed his spiritual blessings upon you and filled you with his spiritual gaze. From that time onwards, it became obligatory for you to offer your prayers behind him. You prayed behind him, and after he gave the final salaam, he called you close, took your oath of allegiance (bay‘at), and admitted you into the Qadiri Sufi Order. Due to Sadr-ul-Afaazil’s increasing activities, popularity, and heartfelt affection, the forces of falsehood and idolatry began to line up against him, which endangered his life. The situation reached such an extent that in a public gathering, someone unsheathed a sword and declared, “Today I will kill Sadr-ul-Afaazil.” These circumstances were expressed by your respected father, Hazrat Muinddin Nizami, in the following verses: Ya Ilahi Be Khata Be Jurm Hai Mera Asar Dushmani Rakhte Hain Is Shehar Wale Fitna Gar Toh Baraye Ahmed, Mukhtar, Abu Bakr O Umar Dushmanan Ra Dost Kar Qur’an Dostan Ra Dust-Tar In the domain of Sufism, Maulana Muradabadi was a disciple and spiritual successor (Khalifa) of Shah Muhammad Gul Kabuli Qadri. He was also granted spiritual authority (Khilafat) in the Qadri Razvi order by Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi and in the Chishti Ashrafi order by Syed Muhammad Ali Husain Ashrafi Miyan Kichhauchhawi. Through him, the Qadri Naeemi spiritual chain was established. He appointed several key successors, including Mufti Muhammad Umar and Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan, who continued his spiritual and scholarly mission. Maulana Muradabadi was married in 1904 and was the father of four sons, who also became scholars, and four daughters. He passed away on 18th Zil Hijjah 1367 Hijri (13th October 1948) in Muradabad. His funeral prayers were led by his successor, Mufti Muhammad Umar Naeemi. His final resting place is located near the Jaamia Naeemia Madrasa in Muradabad, a site that continues to be a place of visitation for his followers. ---- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. 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