Nam-i-Huq

Nam-i-Huq is a book on Fiqh written in Persian verse probably by Shaikh sharfuddin abu tawwama. It is a small book containing 180 verses divided into 13 chapters including three introductory. The three introductory chapters deal with Hamd (praise of God), Naat (praise of the Prophet (Sm) and his companions) and the author's own introduction. There is also a khatimah (conclusion) in which the date of composition is given. The book deals with wazu or ablution with its different aspects, ghusal or purificatory bath, tayammum or purification by sand or dust where water is not available, namaz or prayers and roza or obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan, acts that nullify fasting and the penalty for breaking the obligatory fasting of the Ramadan.

According to the author the book was written '693 years after the death of the prophet'. He says, 'This is (ie the book) a reminiscence of Sharaf for you, whose name is spread all over the world. His ancestry and birthplace is Bukhara, he got his education and other achievements in Khurasan'. Sharaf of the verses is identified with Shaikh Sharfuddin Abu Tawwama, who built madrasa and khanqah at sonargaon and died there. He came to Delhi during the reign of Sultan ghiyasuddin balban, from there he came to Sonargaon, built madrasa and khanqah and settled there. His chief pupil was Shaikh sharfuddin yahya maneri. So keeping the date of composition of Nam-i-Huq, given above, it is probable that Shaikh Sharfuddin Abu Tawwama was the writer of the book. According to others, the book was written by one of his students, from his reminiscence.

Two editions of the book have come down to us. It was first published from Bombay in 1885 AD, and another edition was published from Kanpur in 1332 AH/1913 AD. [Abdul Karim]