Muhammad Hayat al-Sindi

Al-Sindhi was born into the Chachar tribe of Adilpur, Sindh (in modern-day Pakistan).^[11] His father was said to be a local noble of Bhakkar.^[11] Al-Sindi traveled locally to get his basic education.^[12] Then he migrated to Madinah and studied closely with Ibrahim al-Kurani and his son Muhammad Tahir al-Kurani.^[13] Here, he was initiated into the Naqshbandi tariqa.^[12]

Notable students

One of his students was Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, whom he met in 1136 Hijri. It was Abdullah ibn Ibrahim ibn Sayf who introduced him to Hayyat al-Sindhi. Sindhi would make an immense influence on the theological formation of Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab and his reformist views. Early Wahhabi chroniclers acclaimed al-Sindhi as “the spark that lighted ibn ʿAbdul Wahhab’s path."^[12][5]

Although trained in Hanafi law, he was also a scholar of the Hanbali school.^[12] Al-Sindhi was a major reviver of Hadith sciences during the 18th century. Throughout his treatises al-Sindhi stressed the obligation of upholding the practice of Ijtihad, condemned Taqlid, called for a revival of the doctrines of the Salaf al-Salih and championed the superiority of Hadiths over past juristic opinions. Al-Sindhi was also known for his strong critique of folk practices associated with cult of saints and veneration of shrines.^[14]

• Muhammad 'Abid al-Sindi
• List of Hanafis
• List of Sufis
• List of Muslim theologians