Imam Ahmad Mashhur b. Taha al Haddad radiAllahu anhu was born Qaydun, Hadramawt, Yemen in 1325AH to the Gnostic Habib Taha b. Ali al Haddad radiAllahu anhu and the saintly Hababah Safiyya bint Imam Tahir b. Umar al Haddad radiAllahu anhu.
Imam Ahmad Mashhur b. Taha al Haddad radiAllahu anhu, more commonly known as simply Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu was a gnostic who reminded one of the pious predecessors or the early centuries.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu memorised the entire Qur’an at a early age and accompanied the great Imam al-Habib Ahmad bin Hasan al-`Attas and then Imam al Habib `Abdullah bin Tahir al-Haddad and Habib Alawi al Haddad radiAllahu anhu all of whom were amongst the great Gnostics of their time.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu went to Tarim and studied the sacred sciences of Islam under some of the greatest Gnostics and Scholars of the time including Habib Alawi b. Abdullah b. Shihab radiAllahu anhu and Habib Abdullah b. Umar al-Shatiri radiAllahu anhu.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu eventually became one of the greatest callers to Allah Ta’ala and reached the pinnacle of Gnosis whereby he reached the status of Qutbiyya. Hundereds of thousands of people would flock to him for dua, guidance and knowledge, seeking his blessings and desiring his spiritual gazes. His Dawah of calling people to Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Prophet ﷺ was such, that in East Africa alone over three hundred thousand (300,000) people embraced Islam.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu was known for his immense humility, and strict adherence to the Prophetic ﷺ way, following the footsteps of his ancestors the Sa’dah Bani Alawi. His gentle character, wisdom and love would transform the hearts of people who were drowning in sin and elevate them to some of the greatest scholars and saints of our times.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu served the religion of his Noble and Pure grandfather ﷺ, rectifying and attending to their affairs, both in regards to their worldly life and taking care of their journey to Allah Ta’ala. He wrote his
famous book ‘Miftah ul Jannah’ translated into English as ‘Key to the Garden’ which, one who reads, will find strength of Imaan and the light of guidance.
Imam Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu mere presence was a protection for the people and their faith. Removing the whispers of shaytan and placing the Muhammadan ﷺ light within them was a daily occurrence.
His spiritual opening was at the blessed hands of the great Gnostic, the Imam and Qutb, Habib Ahmad b. Muhsin al Haddar radiAllahu and he received many blessings and authorisation from the Master, al Qutb Habib Umar b. Ahmad b. Abi Bakr b. Sumayt radiAllahu anhu.
Habib Ahmad Mashhur radiAllahu anhu spiritual status was such that his contemporty, al Qutb Habib Abd al-Qadir al-Saqqaf radiAllahu anhu said: ‘Habib Ahmad Mashhur is amongst those Gnostics, who recites a single verse of the Qur’an all night and with each recitation countless secrets are unveiled to him’
He wrote many Qasaid (poems) and Salawats which are recited by his disciples and lovers all across the world. He was the cause of Imam al Haddad radiAllahu anhu works being widespread especially in East Africa and became the reviver of Islam in those parts of the world.
He worked tirelessly for the religion of his grandfather ﷺ and never turned anyone away from his blessed door. Nobody came to him but they found peace and safety with him. He was a matchless pearl of the house of Bani Alawi.
We pray, Allah Ta’ala keeps us under his blessed gazes in this world and the next, and may his blessings be spread far and wide. May we always remain with his in this world and the next never to be separated. Ameen al Fatiha.