Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Yunus Jaunpuri's[1] Passion For Hadith[2]

Translated by Abu Unaysah

After discussing Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Yunus Jaunpuri's standing among contemporary hadith scholars, Mawlana Muhammad Nazim Nadwi writes:

"In reality, he has remained occupied with hadith from the beginning and immersed himself in it. He himself relates that, 'Whenever I receive money from someone, I purchase hadith books with it. Whenever my respected teacher Qutb al-'Arab wa 'l-'Ajm [Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya] offered me money as a gift, I would use it to purchase books.' His residence contains a personal collection of hadith, the like of which is extremely rare in the Sub-Continent. In fact, even the largest libraries are bereft of such original books. In spite of this, during his travels for Hajj he looks for new books in bookshops. This is in spite of the fact that after walking high and low paths his breathing becomes heavy and his forehead becomes covered in sweat. However, in spite of these difficulties, only those who are somewhat acquainted with him are able to estimate his academic study and passion.

"This is his state while he has many illnesses. He has been enveloped by illnesses from the very beginning. He has been ill since he first began travelling to Mani Kalan, which is a little distance from his home, to study. After being admitted at Mazahir-e-'Ulum his illness worsened.

"He relates, 'Hadhrat Shaykh[3] (may Allah shower His mercy upon him) himself once said to me, "Your health has deteriorated, return home. Blood is coming out of your mouth." I said, "Hadhratwala,[4] if I am to die, then I will die here." Upon this, Hadhrat Shaykh remarked, "Then remain here!"' From then on, he remained at Mazahir-e-'Ulum and with hadith.