Mufti Abdul Jaleel Hakeem 

Sheikhul Hadith, Qadhi, Mudarris and Mufti residing in Durban, South Africa

Hadhrat Mufti Sahib's full name is Sayyid Abdul Jaleel bin Sayyid Abdul Hakeem. His lineage is as follows: Hazrat Mufti Sayyid Abdul Jaleel, son of Sayyid Abdul Hakeem, son of Moulana Sayyid Gulaam Yahya, son of Moulana Qaarie Sayyid Jamaaludeen, son of Hazrat Moulana Sayyid Sharfuddeen, son of Sayyid Muhyuddeen.


Family:

Hazrat Mufti Sahib's grandfather, Sayyid Ghulaam Yahya, came to India along with his father, Moulana Sayyid Jamaaludeen, in 1875 and settled in a district in Bengal. Originally from Peshawar (now in Pakistan), they resided in the Sawaabi district, where some of their family still resides. Despite being farmers, Hazrat Mufti Sahib's grandfather and his lineage devoted most of their time to Deen and played a crucial role in establishing over fifty Masaajid and Makateeb. Their services to Deen brought about a transformation in the area, turning it into a center of Islamic learning. Hazrat Mufti Sahib's grandfather, along with others, initiated efforts in Tasawwuf, with over two thousand individuals becoming their disciples. At present, there are still students of Hazrat Mufti Sahib's grandfather alive, one of whom, Munshi Mahmood, is 98 years old and continues to render services to Deen.

Birth:

Hazrat Mufti Sahib was born on a Saturday in 1954 at eleven o'clock in the Maalidah district in western Bengal in the village of Ratua.

Primary Education:

His initial education began at home under his grandfather, Moulana Sayyid Ghulaam Yahya Sahib. After completing the recitation of seventeen Paras of the Quran to his grandfather, who passed away when Hazrat Mufti Sahib was seven years old, he continued his education under Moulana Haaji Ziyaarat Hussein Sahib. Under the guidance of his maternal grandfather, he completed the Quran and studied books in Faarsi and Urdu. Subsequently, he enrolled in a tertiary Islamic institution, where he studied until the Tafseer of Jalaalain. Following this, he joined Darul Uloom Lateefi Katihar in Bihar, under the supervision of Sheikhul Hadeeth Hadhrat Moulana Munawwar Hussein Sahib. After two years of study, he was sent to Darul Uloom Deoband by Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Sahib.

Teachers and Studies:

In Darul Uloom Deoband, Hazrat Mufti Sahib studied under renowned teachers, completing his final year in Dorah Hadeeth in 1972. Among his eminent teachers were Hadhrat Sheikhul Hadeeth Sayyid Fakhrudeen Sahib, Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Ahad Deobandi, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Hussein Bihaari, Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Sahib, Hadhrat Moulana Waheeduz Zamaan Sahib Keeranwi, and Hadhrat Moulana Naseer Khan Sahib Oth. He completed his studies in the Darul Iftaa in 1973, under the tutorship of Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Sahib, and also received a diploma in Judiciary from Darul Uloom Deoband.

Teaching Career:

After completing his studies in the Darul Iftaa and judiciary course, Hazrat Mufti Sahib began teaching at Darul Uloom Amroha. In his first year, he taught thirteen books, including 'Mishkaat Awwal,' 'Bukhaari Thaani,' 'Hidaayah Thaalith,' 'Hidaayah Thaani,' 'Kaafiyah,' 'Sharah Tahtheeb,' and 'Salimul Uloom.' He also assumed the responsibility of heading the Iftaa department. Later, he became the head teacher of Ta'aleemudeen Ma'maari in the district of Bardawan in West Bengal, where he served for ten years. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Sheikhul Hadeeth of Madressa Inaamiyah Camperdown in South Africa in 1991. After fifteen years of service, he became the Sheikhul Hadeeth of Madressa Fatimatuz Zahra and took on additional responsibilities in the Darul Iftaa.


Role in Judiciary:

Hazrat Mufti Sahib served as a judge in West Bengal for almost fifteen years. These Islamic courts, affiliated with Jamiatul Ulama Hind, played a crucial role in providing Islamic justice. During his tenure, Hazrat Mufti Sahib presided over more than one hundred and forty cases. Currently, he is working towards instituting a similar form of judiciary in South Africa.


Writing and Publications:

Hazrat Mufti Sahib has authored twenty-two books, all of which have been published. His first book, "Inkishaaf Zalzalah," was published in 1973 in Darul Uloom Deoband. Subsequent works include "Islaam keh Mukamal Nizaam Talaaq," "Miftaahul Hadeeth," "Ruqaat Hadeeth," "Teen Talaaq kie Tahqeea," "Shaatim Rasul Kie Sazaa," "Dua meh Rafa Yadain Kie Sazaa," "Islaam meh Aqal wa Naqal kie Ahmiyat," "Islaam ek Aasaan Deen," "Islaam awr Jadeed surgery," and others. Some of these books have been translated into English by Hazrat Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias Sahib.


Khilaafat:

In 1973, while in the Darul Iftaa, Hazrat Mufti Sahib took Bayt to Hadhrat Sheikhul Hadeeth Moulana Zakariyya Sahib on the instruction of Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Sahib. He was granted Khilaafat on the 17th of Ramadan, and this marked a significant spiritual milestone in his life.


Role in Takhassus in Hadeeth and Judiciary:

Currently, Hazrat Mufti Sahib, in addition to overseeing Madressa Fatimatuz Zahra, is working to open the faculty of Takhassus in Hadeeth and Judiciary. A section of the Madressa is already dedicated to research, and experts in Hadeeth and Fiqh are assisting Hazrat Mufti Sahib in this endeavor.

Conclusion:

This is a brief biography of the life of Hazrat Mufti Sayyid Abdul Jaleel Sahib, and many other aspects of his life have been omitted to avoid unnecessary length. A more comprehensive work on the life and contributions of Hazrat Mufti Sahib in India and South Africa is warranted. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the opportunity to serve Deen alongside Hazrat Mufti Sahib, bless him with a long and prosperous life, and accept his services to the Quran and Sunnat until his last breath. Aameen.