[12:108]This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah ; and I am not of those who associate others with Him
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) was born Rao Muhammad Abdul-Wahab (RA) in 1922 at Delhi, India. He belonged to Saharanpur (U.P) region of India and is ethnically a Rajput belonging to the Rao clan.
After the independence, his family migrated to Tokianwala (Burewala) in Punjab (Pakistan). He graduated from Islamic college (Lahore) and became a Tehsildar (Tax officer) in Pakistan. During his youth he was also affiliated with Majlis-e-Ahrar-ul-Islam and was affected by the discourses of Maulana Abdul-Qadir Raipuri (RA) and received Khilafah from him.
He was affiliated with the Tableeghi Jamaat from the time of it was founded by Shaykh (Maulana) Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi (RA). He came to the Nizamuddin markaz in 1944 and spent 6 months in his company.
He then quit his job and dedicated his entire life for the work of Tableegh and became one of the 5 people in Pakistan who dedicated his entire life for the work of Tableegh.
He is the direct companion of Shaykh (Maulana) Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi (RA, Shaykh (Maulana) Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi (RA and Shaykh (Maulana) Muhammad Inaamul Hasan Kandhlawi (RA (RA).
The first Ameer of Tableeghi Jamaat in Pakistan was Muhammad Shafi Qureshi (RA) and after his passing away, Haji Muhammad Basheer (RA) became the second Ameer of Pakistan. Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) was appointed to be the 3rd Ameer of Pakistan, he was also a member of the global Shura of Tableeghi Jamaat.
Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) is also amongst the 500 most influential Muslims in the world and his biography reads:
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Missionary: As Amir, or leader of Pakistan’s Tablighi Jamaat, Hajji Abdul-Wahhab’s influence spans globally due to the organization’s emphasis on missionary work. Considered a foremost da’ee, or inviter to the faith of Islam, Abdul-Wahhab has spoken about the need to return to the correct beliefs and practices of Islam in numerous countries and congregations.
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} Champion of Conservatism: Abdul-Wahhab urges Muslims to repent for their sins and to emulate the life of the Prophet Muhammad by adhering to the Sunnah—the Prophet’s teachings and deeds. Among these is an exhortation to partake in the act of da’wa or spreading the message of the faith. The Tablighi Jamaat has gradually acquired a massive membership base owing to this core tenet. Abdul-Wahhab’s work is derived from close ties to the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhelvi, and stems from the prominent Islamic institution Darul Uloom Deoband, in India, where the latter studied before establishing a following in Pakistan.
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Mass Appeal: Among the throngs of Pakistanis, diaspora South Asians, and others who carry the flag of the Tablighi Jamaat are notable Muslim leaders. In Pakistan alone, Abdul-Wahhab’s influence has won the allegiance of prominent politicians, actors, and athletes. Despite his influence over key Muslim leaders from various fields of social power, Abdul-Wahhab is consistent in his assertion that the organization is wholly apolitical—identifying the work of the Tablighi Jamaat as a spiritual revivalist movement. Annual gatherings in Raiwind, Pakistan draw close to 2 million people, and those in Biswa, Bangladesh attract over 3 million.
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc} Advocate of Non-violence: In light of heightened incidences of violence by fringe Islamic militant groups, Abdul-Wahhab has publicly stated the importance of non-violence in bringing people closer to the faith of Islam. This comes after the tragic Mumbai attacks which investigations found were linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba; a militant organization Abdul-Wahhab has made a point of distancing from the Tablighi Jamaat.
At the age of 96, Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) advised someone to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) 1000times to safeguard from ailments. The person asked if it was once in a lifetime to which Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) replied (at the age of 96):
{jb_bluebox}No, 1000 times daily! I also recite Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) 1000 times a day.{/jb_bluebox}
After calling people towards Allah Ta'ala for over 70 years, Haji Abdul-Wahab (RA) passed away on Sunday, the 18th of November 2018.