The Mahdi-e-Maud AS - Khalifatullah Mehdi

PREFACEl,.humbl_e qerson Syed Hussain Balkhi, son of Hazrat Syed lbrahimAhmed Balkhi (RA), do not consider myself competenr enough towrite the august biography of Khatim-e-wilayat Mohammedia,Khalifatullah, lmamana Hazrat syed Mohammed Jaunpuri, MahdiMaud (Alai-his-salam) because I am neither an Alim nora proficientwriter in the English language. However, I have ventured to make ahumble attempt to'record the life and teachings of Mahdi Maud(AHS), in a brief manner. Readers are requested not only to point outmistakes, but also to favour me with their trseful suggestions, so thatthe same may be incorporated in the next edition.The curricula prevailing in schools these days tend to keep Muslimstudents in the dark about their religion, its'glorious traditions, andthe achievements in lslamic history. All lslamic literature, includingMahdawia literature is written in Arabic, persian or Urdu, whichnow-a-days, have no place in schools. The fanaticism of the admirersof Hindi, and regionalanguages, has forced the Muslim studenrs rotdke up their studies through the medium of English, in view of its'global acceptance and importance. Religious edulation is considereda personal matter, and is hence neglected. In the absence ofalternative arrangements, the religious knowledge 6f studentscontinues to be deplorable. Mahdawi students are -no exception tothis sorry state of affarrs.Surprisingly. not a single book, written in English, is found inMahdawia literature, which gives basic information obout the life andteachings of'.lmamana 'tMahdiMaud (AHS). lt is well known thatMahdi and Mahdiat have always been the target for undue criticismfrom its' opponents. Naturally, this has crealed some unfoundeddoubts and apprehensions in the minds of Mahdawi students.Though there are a number of authoritative, good books both inPersian and Urdu, written by our Ulema in reply to the various critics.in the light of the Quran and Ahadith, for an English-knowing student,these books remain out of reach.