How Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (raḥimahullāh) Would Spend Jumu’ah

Preparation for Jumu’ah[1]

Hadhrat (RA) would use a mirror and a pair of scissors to trim his moustache. He always cut it so short that it appeared as though he had shaved it out. If his beard had grown more than a fist in length, he would trim it as well. Hadhrat (RA) never trimmed the hair on his cheeks, throat or the hair below the bottom lip. He would then clip his nails with a nail clipper. Hadhrat (RA) was very particular about clipping his nails according to the Sunnah. He always started with the shahaadah finger of the right hand and ended with the thumb of the right hand so that he could practice on the Sunnah of commencing with the right and ending on the right. He would clip his toenails from the small toe on the right foot and end with the small toe on the left foot. Hadhrat (RA) always did this himself until he fell seriously ill. Thereafter, he would make ghusal using hot water during the winters. He would use soap and thereafter a towel to wipe himself. Most often he changed into clean clothes on returning to his room. He would use lots of itr, and also apply it on anyone who was present. According to the different seasons, Hadhrat (RA) used musk, shamaamatul ‘ambar, ‘oud, and khas (names of the different itr). Immediately after zawaal, Hadhrat (RA) would enter the Musjidand perform two rakaats Tahiyyatul Wudhu, two rakaats Tahiyyatul Musjid and Salaatut Tasbeeh wherein he would recite those surahs that commence with Sabbaha or Yusabbihu. Thereafter he would perform the four rakaats Sunnah of Jumu’ah.

After Jumu’ah

After the Jumu’ah Salaah, Hadhrat (RA) would return to his room with the students and the guests. Thereafter, Hadhrat (RA) would conduct a majlis before partaking of meals. A dastarkhaan (table cloth) would also be laid for special visitors.Sometimes after the Jumu’ah Salaah, Hadhrat Mufti Nizaamuddeen Saahib (RA) would join Hadhrat (RA) for meals. Hadhrat (RA) would seat him next to himself. The conversationbetween these two buzurgs was so enjoyable that those present would be gripped. After meals, those visitors who were leaving would make musaafaha (shaking hands) and at times mu’aanaqah (embracing). When Hadhrat (RA) had become so weak and was unable to stand on his own, he would stand up with the support of two people to make mu’aanaqah (embrace).Hadhrat’s visitors consisted primarily of Ulama’ and students, hence the atmosphere was amazing. Once all the visitors had left, Hadhrat (RA) would rest for a while and would wake up about half an hour before the Asar Salaah.

Durood Shareef after Asr

Immediately after the Asr Salaah, without standing up, Hadhrat (RA) would engage himself in reciting durood shareef 80 times.


[1] (Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi raḥimahullāh His life and works, Publsh. Ta’limi Board, KZN, Pg 86,87)