Administration

The ancestral home of Faqih-ul-Islam is located in Tiyalah, near the village of Ha Pur, in the District of Ghaziabad. From there, his family's highest ancestor, Janab Sanaullah Khan Sahib, the grandson of Janab La’l Mohammad Khan Sahib and son of Khwaja Ali Ahmad Sahib, migrated to the town of Ijraarah, in the District of Meerut, where the descendants of his family settled. Thus, the town of Ijraarah became the ancestral home of the Thanai family.
His lineage traces back to his great-grandfather, Mr. Sanaullah Khan (rh), and from there, it reaches his family's esteemed forebear, Mr. Nadir Ali (rh), the Prime Minister of the royal court, and his brother Khwaja Ali (rh).

The lineage is as follows:

Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muzaffar Hussain (rh) ibn Hazrat Aqdas Maulana Mufti Qari Saeed Ahmad (rh) ibn Mr. Munshi Noor Muhammad (rh) ibn Mr. Naseebullah (rh) ibn Mr. Sanaullah (rh) – May Allah have mercy on them all.
When he was around two and a half years old, in February 1931, while still in his mother’s care, he had already memorized the chapters of "Amma Parah" and various stories of pious women from Bisht-i-Zewar, which he had learned orally from his mother.
In 1332 Hijri, when he was about four years old, he was enrolled in Maktab-e-Khususi of Mazahir-ul-Uloom. By the age of eleven, in 1358 Hijri (1949), he had completed his initial religious education.
For further education, he enrolled in Jamia Mazahir-ul-Uloom on 1st Muharram 1361 Hijri, where, after passing exams of Hifz and Karima, he studied various subjects such as Miftah al-Qawaid, Imala, Hesab (Mathematics), and others. In 1362 Hijri, he studied Mizan al-Sarf, Munsha-ab, Bostan, Insha Khaleefah Malabuddah Minh, Ahsan al-Qawaid, and Gulistan (Chapter 8).
In 1363 Hijri, he studied Sarf Mir, Panj Ganj, Ilmus-Sighah, Nahu Meer, Sharh Miata Amil, Fusool-e-Akbari, Tayseerul-Mantiq, Insha Wa Dilkasha, Ruqaate al-Alamgiri, Ruqaate Aman Ullah Hussaini, and Pandnama, among others.
In 1364 Hijri, he read Hidayatun-Nahu, Mirahul-Arwah, Isagogi, Mirqat, Kafiyah, Nurul-Izhah, Mufidut-Talibin, Tahzeeb, and Sharh Tahzeeb.
In 1365 Hijri, he studied Bahas al-Fel, Al-Mukhtasarul Quduri, Tasdikat, Nafhatul-Yaman, Alfiya Ibn Malik, Translation of the Quran, and Mir Qutbi.
In 1366 Hijri, he studied Usul al-Shashi, Khulasatul Bayan, Talkheesul-Miftah, Hadiyah Sa'diya, Muqaddimah Jazri, Kanzud-Daqa'iq, Bahse Ism, and Sullmul-Uloom.
In 1367 Hijri, he studied Sab'a Mu'allaqah, Rashidiyah, Shatibi, Nur al-Anwar, Maqamat Hariri, Sharh Wiqayah, and Mukhtasarul-Quduri.
In 1368 Hijri, he studied the famous book of Ilme-Faraid, Siraji, Sharh Nakhbah al-Fikr, Muqaddimah Mishkat, Hidayah Awalīn, Mishkat Sharif, and Jalalayn Sharif.
In 1369 Hijri, he completed Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif, Tirmidhi Sharif, Abu Dawood Sharif, Nasai Sharif, Tahawi Sharif, Ibn Majah Sharif, Muwatta Imam Malik, and Muwatta Imam Muhammad, passing with distinction.
He studied Bukhari Sharif from the beginning till the Kitab al-Ilm and the second volume of Bukhari Sharif, with a distinguished teacher, Hazrat Allama Abdul Latif Paurqazwi (rh) from the Kitab al-Wudhu till the end of the first volume. He also studied Abu Dawood Sharif with Sheikhul Hadith Sahib (rh), Nasai Sharif with Muhammad Asad Ullah Sahib (rh), Tirmidhi Sharif with his father Maulana Mufti Saeed Ahmad Sahib (rh), and Muslim Sharif with Maulana Manzoor Ahmad Khan Sahib (rh).
His companions and fellow students of Takmeel-e-Uloom included Maulana Muhammad Yaqub Rangooni, Maulana Abdul Ghani Amir Jama'at Markaz Ahmadabad, Maulana Abdul Ghani Rangooni, Maulana Hafiz Fazlur-Rehman Kalyani, Maulana Muhammad Zafar Neerwani, and Maulana Khairur-Rahman Ahmadabadi.
After completing Dars-e-Nizami, he enrolled in Takhmeel-ul-Ilm in 1370 Hijri, where he studied Hidayah Sālith, Tafseer Madarik al-Tanzil, Mulla Jalal, Uruzul Miftah, Muqaddimah Taqreeb, Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran, Muqaddimah Qamus, Dure Mukhtar, Mebazi, Rasmul-Mufti, Mulla Hasan, and Baizawi Sharif, passing with distinction marks.
In addition to the above-mentioned books, he had the honor of studying Muqaddimah al-Taqreeb, Muqaddimah al-Qamus, some parts of Dur al-Mukhtar by al-Haskafi, and Al-Itqan by Imam al-Suyuti, under the guidance of his esteemed teacher, Hazrat Maulana Syed Abdul Latif Sahib Porquazi (rh).
When Faqih al-Islam (rh) graduated from Mazahir Uloom in 1370 AH, the authorities of the institution appointed him as a teacher. That year, due to his juristic expertise and his inclination towards issuing fatwas, he was entrusted with teaching Mukhtasar al-Quduri. Subsequently, to further enhance his abilities and refine his skills, the lesson of Kanz al-Daqaiq was also assigned to him.
It was a completely new experience in teaching at one of India's most prestigious religious and educational institutions, with many brilliant scholars of knowledge and virtue present. Given his young age and the fact that many of his students were older and physically more imposing, the feeling of awe and intimidation initially overwhelmed him. However, due to the manner in which he had been trained and the effort he had put into his studies, this feeling quickly dissipated. Within just a few days, he overcame the sense of intimidation and continued to perform his duties with great grace and ease.
Alongside his teaching, due to his deep understanding and intuition in jurisprudence, he also provided services in the field of fatwas. On 14th Rabi al-Awwal 1375 AH, he was appointed as Muin Mufti (Rudad, 1375 AH).
On 1st Rabi al-Awwal 1376 AH, he was appointed as the Deputy Mufti, and his annual grade was increased.
Despite the busy schedule of teaching, he was appointed as the Head Mufti of the Dar al-Ifta. Along with his services in jurisprudence and fatwas, he also taught various standard books in different fields of knowledge, such as Kanz al-Daqaiq, Sharh al-Waqaya, Mukhtasar al-Ma'ani, and others. Additionally, he taught Jalalayn seven times and Hidayah by Allama Marghinani four times.
Alongside his work in jurisprudence and fatwas, in 1381 AH, he began teaching Mishkat Sharif. Later, he taught Sunan al-Nasa'i, Sunan Ibn Majah, and Mishkat Sharif in 1383 AH. In the following year, 1384 AH, he started teaching Sharh Ma'aniul Asar by Imam Allama Tahawi, Mishkat Sharif, and Sunan al-Tirmidhi. He continued to teach Tirmidhi for the rest of his life, except for a few years in his last years. He set a record by teaching Sunan al-Tirmidhi nearly forty times.
After the passing of his teacher, Hazrat Maulana Amir Ahmad Kandhlawi (rh) in 1384 AH, he took on the responsibility of teaching all books of the Daurah Hadith with thorough research and dedication, except for Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan Abu Dawood. Later, he also taught Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan Abu Dawood.
On the night of 9th December 1988, when certain disruptive elements targeted Mazahir Uloom and, with the help of the PAC, unlawfully occupied a large area of the institution, and some of the teachers of the Daurah Hadith aligned themselves with the opposing side, Faqihul Islam (rh), despite the administrative challenges and the unfavorable environment, continued teaching with great dignity, tranquility, and composure. He taught all the books, including a part of Mishkat Sharif, except for the second volume of Sahih al-Bukhari (which was being taught by Hazrat Allama Rafiq Ahmad rh). It is remarkable that he completed every book according to its syllabus, thus adding a new chapter in the history of Mazahir Uloom.
On 1st Ramadan 1385 AH, while holding the position of Head Mufti, he was appointed as the Deputy Administrator (Naib Nazim). On 6th Shawwal 1385 AH, he received a monthly raise of four rupees, and on 1st Dhul-Qi'dah 1385 AH, his salary was increased with an annual raise of four rupees. In the following year, on 1st Ramadan 1386 AH, his monthly salary was further increased by four rupees (Rudad Madrasa 1385 AH and 1386 AH).
On 15th Dhul-Qi'dah 1388 AH, by the grace and mercy of Allah, he had the honor of performing Hajj. His mother accompanied him on this sacred journey. During this time, he had the opportunity to serve his mother both in Hazar and during Safar (staying at home and traveling). After nearly three months of pilgrimage and visits to the sacred sites, and after performing the Tawaf of the Kaaba, he returned safely to Saharanpur on 25th Safar al-Muzaffar 1389 AH.
On 15th Rajab al-Murajjab 1399 AH, at 1 AM on a Monday night, his spiritual guide and esteemed teacher, Hujjat al-Islam Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Asadullah Sahib (rh), passed away from this world to the eternal abode. Following his passing, Faqihul Islam (rh) assumed the position of Acting Administrator and Head of the institution.
Faqihul Islam (rh) not only managed this entrusted responsibility but also fulfilled every duty assigned to him with great care. In fact, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Sahib (rh), with his profound insight and spiritual vision, recognized Faqihul Islam as the most trustworthy person to carry this heavy responsibility. Therefore, he specifically assigned the administrative position to him in the following words:
"Almost 17 months have passed since the passing of Hazrat Maulana Asadullah Sahib, the Administrator of the Madrasa. During this time, Mufti Muzaffar Hussain Sahib has been performing the duties of Acting Administrator. After careful consideration, it has been decided that this position should be permanently entrusted to Mufti Muzaffar Hussain Sahib. The difference in basic salary between the Deputy Administrator and Administrator, which is 100 rupees, will be added to Mufti Muzaffar Hussain Sahib's current salary starting from 1st Muharram 1401 AH."
After this wise choice by the elders, from 1400 AH, Faqih al-Islam's name was officially written in the record as Acting Administrator, and from 1401 AH as the Administrator of the Madrasa.
Faqihul Islam (rh) had deep love and devotion for his esteemed teacher, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Sahib (rh), and as a result, he established a bond of initiation and spiritual connection with him. However, Faqihul Islam's temperament was more in line with the Tanwi school of thought, whereas his teacher’s approach was more aligned with the Khalili and Rashidi methods. Therefore, he frequently visited the blessed court of his compassionate and revered mentor, Hazrat Maulana Shah Muhammad Asadullah Sahib (rh), and received the spiritual training and the Ijazah (permission) for Khilafah (spiritual leadership).
The deep love and special affection Hazrat Maulana Shah Muhammad Asadullah Sahib (rh) had for Faqihul Islam (rh) can be understood from the fact that when Faqihul Islam joined the circle of Khamkhana Asadi (the spiritual assembly of Asadi), the usual custom is for the seeker and disciple to feel joyous, but in this case, it was the opposite. Hazrat Maulana Asadullah Sahib (rh), in his great happiness, granted Khilafah to his disciple in front of the gathering, so that the world would know of Faqihul Islam’s excellence. Furthermore, Hazrat Maulana Asadullah Sahib (rh) addressed the gathering and said: "Inform Sheikh al-Hadith (Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya) [who at that time was in Makkah] that today I have granted Mufti Muzaffar Hussain Sahib permission for Bait (initiation) and Khilafah."
On the morning of 28th Ramadan al-Mubarak 1424 AH, at 10 AM, Faqihul Islam (rh) passed away due to heart failure at Escorts Hospital in Delhi.

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون

His funeral prayer was led by his successor, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Saidi, around midnight. It is estimated that approximately three hundred thousand people gathered for the funeral. He was laid to rest in the Haji Shah Kamaluddin Cemetery, next to his father, grandfather, and esteemed teachers.