Shah Akbar Danapuri

Shah Akbar Danapuri (1844–1914) also known as Shah Muhammad Akbar Abulolai Danapuri was an Indian Islamic scholar, preacher, writer, linguist and Sufi poet. He belonged to the Naqshbandi Abulolaiya order of Sufism. He was contemporary of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi and Waris Ali Shah.

He had served as the Sajjadanasheen of Khanqah Sajjadiya-Abulolaiya from 1884 to 1914. He was a student of Waheed Allahabadi, a disciple of Khwaja Haidar Ali Atish. He was the teacher of Zohra Bai.

Early life and education Danapuri was born to Shah Sajjad Pak Danapuri on 11 September 1843 at Nai Basti, Agra district of Uttar Pradesh.

He started his studies under the tutelage of his uncle, Maulana Shah Muhammad Qasim Abulolai Danapuri.

Lineage He belonged to the lineage of Al-Zubayr ibn Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of Prophet Muhammad. Through his ancestors, he descended from Imam Muhammad Taj Faqih Hashmi, a revered Sufi saint who is believed to have conquered Maner in 1180. Imam Muhammad Taj Faqih Hashmi's legacy continued through his youngest son, Shaikh Abdul Aziz, and his grandson, Sulaiman Langar Zameen, who was married to Makhdooma Bibi Kamal bint Shahabuddin Pir Jagjot of Kako. Role of the family in Independence activism Shah Akbar Danapuri’s uncle, Maulana Shah Muhammad Qasim Danapuri (1803–1864), was an important figure in the events surrounding the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Known for his opposition to British rule, he was actively involved in mobilising local youth and is said to have trained them in military tactics within the Agra Fort. During this period, he met Maulana Ahmadullah Shah Madrasi, a prominent leader of the uprising, and discussed plans to resist colonial authority. Following his involvement in these activities, Shah Qasim Danapuri was arrested by British authorities and sentenced to six months of imprisonment in Moradabad. However, he was later acquitted.

Career He became the Sajjada nashin of Khanqah Sajjadiya Abulolaiya, Shah Toli, Danapur in 1884, after the death of his father Shah Sajjad Pak Danapuri.

Personal life In 1865, Danapuri married Bibi Naeema alias Ahmadi Bibi, daughter of Maulana Shah Wilayat Hussain Azimabadi. They had two daughters and one son, Shah Mohsin Danapuri.

Literary works

Death and legacy Shah Akbar Danapuri died at the age of 67 on 14 Rajab 1327 AH, corresponding to 1 August 1909, at Khanqah Sajjadiya Abulolaiya, Shah Toli, Danapur, and was buried in the Astana Makhdoom Sajjad Pak on the same night. An annual urs of Shah Akbar Danapuri is celebrated on 14–15 Rajab of the Islamic calendar.

Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi, founder of the Barelvi movement have mentioned Danapuri in his Qaseeda Amaal-ul-Abrar fi Lam-ul-Ashrar, which was written for people who were against Nadwa movement.