Abu Turab Al-Dhahiri
Abdul-Jamil bin Abdul-Haq bin Abdul-Wahid Al-Hashimi Al-Omari, commonly known as Abu Turab, traces his lineage back to the Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab. He is affectionately referred to by three notable titles: Abu Muhammad, named after his eldest son; Abu Tahir, which serves as his official kunya; and finally, Abu Turab, a name inspired by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Below are further details regarding Abu Turab Al-Dhahiri:
Early Life
Sheikh Abu Turab was born in 1923 CE, corresponding to 1343 AH. He began his education under the guidance of his grandfather, starting from the Arabic alphabet and progressing to Persian literature, a significant part of the educational curriculum at the time. Abu Turab also learned Persian calligraphy, a variant of Arabic script, from his grandfather at the Abbasid Mosque. He later attended his father’s classes in morphology and syntax. Throughout his life, he was known by several titles, including Al-Hashimi, Al-Adwi, and Al-Omari.
Academic Career
Abu Turab dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual growth, acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the Arabic language and Islamic sciences. He initially pursued his undergraduate studies in Bahadur, then proceeded to Delhi to obtain his master’s degree. He completed his doctoral studies at Al-Azhar University.
Professional Positions
Abu Turab commenced his professional journey by establishing a learning circle for sciences within the Grand Mosque of Mecca. He also worked at the Grand Mosque library before moving to Jeddah, where he contributed to Al-Bilad newspaper. Additionally, he served as a research and publication advisor for the local radio station, eventually joining the Ministry of Information in the printing department. His active participation in literary and linguistic forums led to numerous lectures and presentations.
Journeys
Abu Turab’s life was marked by numerous enriching journeys filled with stories and scholarly endeavors. Notably, he engaged with esteemed scholars, where he collected many books and manuscripts. His travels included a visit to Egypt, where he was hosted by Sheikh Ahmad bin Muhammad Shakir, and to Morocco, where he met Sheikh Muntaser Al-Kitani. Other countries he ventured to include Yemen, Turkey, and Iran.
Scholarly Contributions
Abu Turab authored over 50 works across various disciplines, including Hadith, biography, grammar, and literature. His writings predominantly reflect an literary nature, enriched by his comments and critiques. Among his published works, 25 notable titles include “The Followed Impact of the Migration of the Prophet (peace be upon him),” “Tafseer Al-Tafaseer,” and “Interpretation of the Hidden Words of the Quran.”
His scholarly output extended beyond authorship; he meticulously copied numerous texts, such as “Al-Musannaf” by Abdul-Razzaq and various critiques of other prominent works.
Passing
As time progressed, Abu Turab faced numerous health challenges associated with aging. He passed away after requesting assistance from his servant to perform ablution. Upon attempting to return to his bed, he lost feeling in his legs and took his final breaths on Saturday, 21/02/1423 AH. He was interred in the Al-Mualla Cemetery in Mecca.