Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique

Born in the blessed month of Ramadhan, on 3 April 1892 (15 Ramadhan

1310), in Meerut India, Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddique was
raised in a family that was pious and devout. He is a descendant of Sayyidina
Abu Bakar As-Siddique (may Allah be pleased with him), the first caliph of
Islam.

From a small age, his father, Muhammad Abdul Hakim and his mother were his inspiration
and source of guidance and education in the teachings of Islam.

He was an exceptionally intelligent child and possessed an intellectual capacity beyond his
years. He brilliantly committed the Holy Qur’an to his memory when he was only 4 years
old. He also had a remarkable oratory skill and at the age of 9, he delivered his first public
speech at the Jamma Mosque of Meerut, mesmerising the audience with his captivating
eloquence.

He had a remarkable love and thirst for knowledge. At the age of 16, he graduated with a
Degree and distinctions in Islamic Theology. He then pursued non-theological studies in
modern sciences and Law. He also acquired advanced knowledge in Qur’anic science,
Hadith, Tassawuf and Islamic jurisprudence of the four main madhhab. His teachers include
Shaykh Ahmad al-Shams of Morocco, Shaykh Al-Sennousi of Libya, Maulana Abdul Bari of
Farangi Mahal and Maulana Ahmad Mukhtar Siddique (his brother). He achieved great
Islamic theological and spiritual development under the guidance of Maulana Ahmad Raza
Khan, a revered Islamic scholar and a great Sufi master.

Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique travelled continuously for 40 years to all parts of the globe
until his labors of love for the spiritual reform and enlightenment of humanity covered a
major part of the world. The countries he visited include the Hejaz, Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Ceylon, China, Japan, Philippines, Mauritius,
Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Belgium, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq,
France, England, West Indies, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, United States of
America and Canada.

He was a great writer, poet, orator and scholar of Islam and modern sciences, and was
renowned the world over for his spiritual guidance and promulgation of the message of hope
and peace. His contribution to literary and academic discourses was also astounding. In 1935,
in Mombassa (Kenya), Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique met with the famous European
intellectual, Sir George Bernard Shaw, and they enjoyed a wonderful exchange of thoughts in
which Sir George Bernard Shaw called Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique “a learned sage”. He
delivered hundreds of lectures and also found time to write several Islamic books and poetry
in Urdu and English.

He came to Singapore in 1930 to spread the message and beauty of Islam. He laboured
intensively in the cause of Islam and delivered numerous lectures in Singapore and attracted
many people to Islam. He pioneered the establishment of the All Malaya Muslim Missionary
Society, now known as Jamiyah, in 1932. He also pioneered the establishment of the Inter-
Religious Organisation (IRO) to foster greater understanding between the faiths and to
promote the spirit and message of peace amongst the people of Singapore. In IRO’s
inauguration ceremony, on 18 March 1949 at Victoria Memorial Hall, Maulana Abdul Aleem
Siddique gave an inspiring speech, in which he said,

“As far as the common evils and accepted moral principles were concerned, no religion could
have any difference, and in the spirit of tolerance and sympathy and the desire to establish
peace, all of them were as one. The task of the religious leaders was to let the followers of
each and every religion know the teachings of other religions, so that a spirit of fellowship
could work together to spread the accepted moral principles and to fight the common evils.”

Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique worked with single-minded devotion for the cause of Islam
and humanity. Hundreds of thousands of people belonging to diverse races and nationalities
in Asia, Africa, Europe and America received spiritual blessings through his dynamic and
refulgent personality. Numerous mosques, Islamic missionary societies, schools, hospitals,
libraries, infirmaries, orphanages and Islamic periodicals sprang up in the wake of his
immortal missionary work.

Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique was an extraordinary exponent who personify in a

distinguished manner the causes he cherish and uphold, and his labours for the cause form a
landmark in human history. His noble soul soared beyond the limitations of territory and race.
The most distinctive aspect of his personality was the spiritual magnetism that he radiated
which captivated the minds and hearts of all who crossed his path.

On 22 August 1954 (22 Dhulhijjah), at the age of 63, after a last visit to the grave of the
beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem
Siddique left this world for the hereafter - his body rests peacefully at the Jannatul Baqqi in
Madinah. May Allah bless be well pleased with His servant, Maulana Shah Muhammad
Abdul Aleem Siddique. Al-Fatiha.

Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddique was born in the month of Ramadhan,
on 3 April 1892 (15 Ramadhan 1310), in Meerut, India and was raised in a family that was
pious and devout. He is a descendant of Sayyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddique, the first caliph of
Islam. From youth, his father, Muhammad Abdul Hakim and his mother were a source of
guidance and education in the teachings of Islam.

He was an exceptionally intelligent child and possessed an intellectual capacity beyond his
years. He committed the Qur'an to his memory when he was only 4 years old. He also had a
remarkable oratory skill and at the age of 9, he delivered his first public speech at the Jamma
Mosque of Meerut, mesmerising the audience.

He had a love and thirst for knowledge. At the age of 16, he graduated with a Degree and
distinctions in Islamic Theology. He then pursued non-theological studies in modern sciences
and Law. He also acquired advanced knowledge in Qur'anic science, Hadith, Sufism
(Tassawuf) and Islamic jurisprudence of the four main madhhab. His teachers include Shaykh
Ahmad al-Shams of Morocco, Shaykh Al-Sennousi of Libya, Maulana Abdul Bari of Farangi
Mahal and Maulana Ahmad Mukhtar Siddique (his brother). He achieved great Islamic
theological and spiritual development under the guidance of Maulana Ahmed Raza Khan, a
revered Islamic scholar.
He came to Singapore in 1930 to spread the message and beauty of Islam. He delivered
numerous lectures in Singapore and attracted many people to Islam. He pioneered the
establishment of the All Malaya Muslim Missionary Society, now known as Jamiyah, in
1932.[2]

In early 1949, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique, together with other religious leaders, met
with Malcolm MacDonald, Singapore’s then Commissioner-General, to discuss issues of
solidarity amongst religions. In a similar meeting, a decision was made to set up an
organisation for inter-religious understanding, later called Inter-Religious Organisation
(IRO). In March 1949, IRO was formed to foster greater understanding between the faiths in
Singapore and to promote the spirit and message of peace amongst the citizens of Singapore.
In IRO’s inauguration ceremony, on 18 March 1949 at Victoria Memorial Hall, Maulana
Abdul Aleem Siddique spoke, saying,

"As far as the common evils and accepted moral principles were concerned, no
religion could have any difference, and in the spirit of tolerance and sympathy and
the desire to establish peace, all of them were as one. The task of the religious leaders
was to let the followers of each and every religion know the teachings of other
religions, so that a spirit of fellowship could work together to spread the accepted
moral principles and to fight the common evils."

Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque

In 1953, the land of Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque was conveyed to several trustees and
office-bearers of the All-Malaya Muslim Missionary Society (now known as Jamiyah
Singapore). Prior to this, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique had identified and chosen the land
to be developed as a Mosque. In 1954, Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque was subsequently
built on the land from donations collected through the society.

The Mosque was named after Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddique,[5] as
recognition for his immense contribution to Islam and the social development of a plural
society in Singapore. The contributions of Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique are in itself
historic and seminal efforts that deserve to be carved in stone. Abdul Aleem Siddique
Mosque is a testimony and recognition of Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique’s immortal work
of spreading the faith of Islam and the message of hope and peace.

Hazrat Allama Maulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqi Radi Allahu Anhu were from the family of Hazrat Abubakr-
e-Sideeq Radi Allahu anhu.
His father, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hakim Siddiqui Qadri [RA] was a great ‘alim, poet and sufi master, who
aught him Urdu, Persian, Arabic and literature. At the age of nine years, the young student delivered his first
public speech of ninety minutes at the Jama Masjid of Meerat. His Eminence Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui
graduated as an Islamic scholar at the age of sixteen when he obtained a B.A. degree from the University of
Meerat (India). He spoke Arabic, Urdu, Persian, English, French, Indonesian, Malaysian and Japanese
languages fluently.

He continued advanced Islamic studies under the guidance of the great Islamic scholar Imam-e-Ahle Sunnat
Maulana Shah Ahmad Raza Khan Faazile Bareily [RA] whom His Eminence became one of his most valuable
Khalifa. His Eminence acquired further knowledge in Quranic exegies, Hadith, Tassawwuf and the four schools
of Islamic Laws in Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara under the care of eminent ‘ulama of his
days such as Sheik Ahmad as-Shams of Morocco, Sheik as-Sannusiyya of Libya, Maulana Abdul Baqi of
Ferrangi Mahal at Madina. His Eminence also studied Islamic Medicine which he used in serving ailing
humanity in the many countries which he would later visit. He received Ijaaza of the Qadriyya, Chisti,
Naqshbandi, Soharwardi, Idriisi and Sanusi orders.

In 1951, he toured the world preaching and propagating Islam. He visited America, London, Japan, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Europe, Southern Africa, Trinidad, Philippines, Iraq, Holland, Thailand, Ceylon, France, and many
other countries. As a result of his efforts, thousands of non-muslims accepted Islam at his hands. Princess
Gladys Palmer of Burinia, Merwate Tifinch, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahifli Donawa, a Minister of
Trinidad and Mr. F. Gengson, the Christian Minister of Ceylon, were some of the famous personalities who
accepted Islam after meeting him.

His Eminence was responsible for establishing various mosques and Islamic Centres throughout the world.
Three of the famous such institutions are the Hanafi Masjid in Colombo, the Sultaan Masjid in Singapore and
the Nagoya Masjid in Japan. He established many institutions of Islamic propagation including ASJA in
Trinidad & Tobago. He was also the founder of various newspapers and Islamic magazines from amongst which
are, "The Muslim Digest" (South Africa), "Trinidad Muslim Annual" and the "Pakistani News".

During his tour of the world, he met with various western dignitaries and had lengthy discussions with them on
Islam. He met the world renowned Irish dramatist and philosopher, George Bernard Shaw, on 17th of April
1935 during his visit to Mombassa, Kenya and discussed many moral and spiritual issues with him. Bernard
Shaw was impressed with the unique perspective of His Eminence and commented thus, "I have been very
pleased to make his acquaintance, and it will be the most precious of all memories of this trip of mine."

His Eminence spent most of his remaining life traveling to the most obscure corners of the world to spread the
message of Islam and imparting spiritual teachings to adherents of various sufi orders. It is said that he traversed
the world seven times over and has no doubt earned the title - Mubaligh-e-Azam (The Greatest Propagator of
Islam).

His Eminence passed away in Madina al-Munawwara on the 22nd August 1954/(22nd Zul-Hijjah) whilst on the
hajj and is buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi at the feet of Umm-ul-Mumineen ‘Aisha Siddiqui Radi Allahu anha.

May we continue to benefit from his duas.

Note: Both Mubbaligh-e-Azam, Hazrat Allama Maulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqi Radi Allahu anhuRadi
Allahu Anhu and Qutab-e-Madina, Hazrat Allama Maulana Zia ul Din Madani Radi Allahu anhuRadi Allahu
Anhu are buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi, both from family of Hazrat Abubakr-e-Sideeq Radi Allahu anhu and both
khalifa-e-Ala Hazrat

Read more: http://ashraf786.proboards.com/index.cgi?

board=alahadrat&action=display&thread=13076#ixzz1EfW4IOW0

Inter-Religious Organization (IRO) (2006)

(Interfaith)

Websites:

• http://www.iro.org.sg/website/home.html

Description
Country: Singapore
Type of Organization: Interfaith
Constructive Practices:
Promotion of Inter-Religious Dialogue
Press Relations
Information Dissemination
Mission

According to IRO's website, the organization's aim is to "work together to

promote inter-religious understanding, peace and goodwill in Singapore." The
IRO strives to "recognize the secular nature of Singapore, promote cohesion
within their society, respect each other's freedom of religion [as we grow] our
common space while respecting our diversity." Finally, IRO also intends to "foster
inter-religious communications" in order to "ensure that religion will not be
abused to create conflict and disharmony in Singapore."

History

IRO was established in 1949 as a result of an interfaith reception that was

organized to welcome His Eminence Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem
Siddiqui Al Qadiri, a renowned itinerant Muslim missionary from India who was
well respected by peoples of different faiths in the then Crown Colony of
Singapore. During the inception of this organization, Maulana Shah Muhammad
stated, "the task of the religious leaders [is] to let the followers of each and
every religion know the teachings of other religions, so that a spirit of fellowship
might be created among them and so that they could all work together to spread
the accepted moral principles and to fight the common evils."

Programs and Events

IRO plays a crucial role in maintaining the religious harmony in multi-racial

Singapore. Among IRO's earliest projects was an attempt was to quell the racial
violence between the Malay and Chinese communities in 1964. During this
period, IRO held meetings with various religious leaders in order to urge
restraint.

Currently, IRO organizes events such as conferences on issues dealing with

religious harmony. They also publish resources for fostering interfaith harmony
in Singapore. They participate in Singapore’s National Day celebrations by
organizing interfaith prayers and events to celebrate that day. The organization
regularly participates in charity work to help the needy. In 1999, postage stamps
in three different denominations commemorating 50 years of IRO’s
achievements were issued by Singapore’s postal service.

All of IRO's programs and publications can be found on its richly informative
website. Of particular note, the website offers profiles of the various religious
traditions in Singapore: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and
Baha'i.

Date Center Founded

1949
Affiliation with Other Communities/Organizations
IRO is a member of the the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP) and the World
Conference on Religions for Peace (WCRP).

A Shavian and a Theologian, An Illuminating Conversation between George

Bernard Shaw and His Eminence Mohammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui, al
Qaderi: http://muslim-canada.org/shavian.htm

The Arrangement and compilation of the Holy Quran, The Compilation of

the Prophetic traditions and the Biographies of the Reporters, Ijtihad
and the Mujtahid, Preservers of Hadith Scholars of Law, by Ml Abdul
Aleem Siddiqui R.A. and other articles by Mufti Ahmed Yar Khan Naeemi
R.A. also on Taqleed, Ijtihad:
http://www.gatewaytomadina.org/index.php?
option=com_content&view=category&id=13&Itemid=2

More links to English pdf articles/books by Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui R.A.
Courtesy of Shaykh G F Haddad from www.livingislam.org :

• Divine Harmony: http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/dh.pdf

• The Forgotten Path of Knowledge:
http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/fpk.pdf
• The Quest For True Happiness:
http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/qth.pdf
• Spiritual Culture in Islam: http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/sci.pdf
• The Universal Religion: http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/ur.pdf
• Women and Their Status in Islam:
http://mac.abc.se/home/onesr/d/ms/wsi.pdf

• My heart yearns to show it’s bleeding scars

And to teach everyone on earth the laws
•
• Which might make blessed life’s span
• This is my yearning and this is my aim
• This is my intention and this is my claim
• With this I yearn to scan the globe
• And deliver to humanity the message of Hope
• (An extract from a poem by Maulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui written in his college years)

ACHIEVEMENT

Hazrat Sahab’s main intention was to help Mankind by means of instigating the knowledge of Islam. One of his
achievements was the pressure he gave the Arabian government, with the support of the Muslims Leaders
around the world, to eliminate the unjust imposition of the Hajj tax. The Saudi government clearly understood
his concern and the next year itself the Hajj tax was reduced.

In the wake of his visits to different part of the world, he urged Muslims to build orphanages for the helpless
youths, infirmaries for the destitute, hospitals for the suffering, spiritual assemblies for spiritual discipline,
libraries for the preservation of the Islamic traditions and intellectual heritage, several masajids, organizations of
Ulemas for the coordination of Islamic forces, Muslim youth Brigade & Muslims scouts for the physical and
moral discipline of the youth.

Hazrat Sahab (Radi Allah Ta’ala Anho) also encouraged the publication of several magazines such as Muslims
Digest and the Ramadaan Annual (South Africa), The real Islam (Singapore) and the Prophets Birthday Annual
(Mauritius). He himself compiled his missionary works in terms of books or articles under the following titles:

1. History of The Codification of Islamic Law Cultivation Of Science By Muslims

2. Bahare shabab For Youth
3. A Short Catechism Of Islam
4. Meeting Between A Shavian And A Theologian
5. The Universal Teacher
6. The Universal Religion
7. The Islamic Ideal
8. Quest For True Happiness
9. The Meaning Of Worship
10. Women And Their Status In Islam
11. The Forgotten Path Of Knowledge
12. Islam’s Answer To The Challenge Of Communism
13. Kitabbut Tassawuf ( Urdu)
14. Zikre Habeeb and many others

VISIT TO CANADA

In 1939 Hazrat Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (RA) became the first Sufi saint to spread Islam and explain the meaning
of Tassawuf in Canada. He initiated the project of the first Masjid that was built in Edmonton , Canada. He
successfully carried out his mission by converting thousands of non-Muslims in North America. He was also
given the opportunity of expressing his thoughts in Toronto where he once again captivated his audience. He
instilled the Sufi traditions which are still kept alive by many other Sufis and muhibeens. Hazrat Sahab (Radi
Allah Ta’ala Anho) was deeply convinced that Tassawuf and spirituality was the gateway for non-Muslims to
comprehend Islam. He also firmly believed that the Sufis are most suitable successful in converting people to
Islam.

Alhamdollillah through his prayers, Allah has accepted this land to be blessed by other Sufis and the light of
Noore Mohammadi (Sallahu Alaihe Wassallam) continues to burn North America.

HIS BODY RESTS IN JANNATUL BAQQI

It was the 22nd of Zil Hadj (August 22, 1954) at the age of 63 after a last visit with our beloved Prophet
Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam that Hazrat Maulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Al Quaderi Rehmatullah Alaih
left this world for the hereafter. Allah the Almighty had responded to his prayers, as he always wanted to be
buried in Madina Munawara. His body rests peacefully at the Jannatul Baqqi near the tomb of Hazrat Ayesha
Siddiqua Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha.

THE SPIRITUAL CHAIN OF SUCCESSION / SPIRITUAL GENEALOGY

1. Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha Sallallahu Alaihe wassallam

2. Hazrat Ali Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
3. Hazrat Hasan Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
4. Shaikh Habibbe Nil Ajamiyi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
5. Shaikh Dawood Datt Ta’irri Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
6. Shaikh Marouf Fil Karoukhiyi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
7. Shaikh Sirriyi Nis Saqa - Tiyyi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
8. Shaikh Sayyidit twa-I-fatti Abil Qasim Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
9. Shaikh Abi Bakr Nis Shibli Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
10. Shaikh Abdil Wahidi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
11. Shaikh Abdil Azeezi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
12. Shaikh Abil Farahi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
13. Shaikh Abil Hasani Aliyil Qurayshi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
14. Shaikh Abi Saidi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
15. Sayyidina Shaikh Abdul Quadeer Jilani Ghawse Azaam Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou\
16. Shaikh Sayyidi Abdil Razzaq Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
17. Shaikh Sayyidil Abdil Swalihil Faqeeri Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou\
18. Shaikh Sayyidi Ahmad Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
19. Shaikh Sayyidi Shihabbiddin Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
20. Shaikh Sayyidi Shamsid Deene Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
21. Shaikh Sayyidi Alaa-id Deen Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
22. Shaikh Sayyidi Nouri Muhammad Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
23. Shaikh Sayyidi Abdil Jalaalis Sahra-yi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
24. Shaikh Sayyidi Bahaawal Shee Qalandar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
25. Shaikh Abil Ma’ali Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
26. Shaikh Muhkamid Deeni Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
27. Shaikh Shah Amir Baa Laa yayru Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
28. Shaikh Abdil Lateef Fil Bourriyyi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
29. Shaikh Durweishi Muhammadin Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
30. Shaikh Shah Ahmad Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
31. Shaikh Abdil Lateefi Thani Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
32. Shaikh Madhe Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
33. Shaikh Sayyiddi A’azam Ali Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
34. Shaikh Sayyidi Muhammad Ghawse Ali Shah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
35. Shaikh Maulana Muhammad Abdil Hakeem Al Quaderi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
36. Shaikh Ahmad Mukhtaar Siddiqui Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhou
37. Shaikh Tareeqat Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Al Quaderi Radi Allahu
Ta’ala Anhou
38. Hazrat Mubalighe Islam Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqui Al Quaderi ( Living Shaikh)