Ashraf Ali Thanawi

Ashraf Ali al-Thanawi al-Imdadi al-Chishti (1280–1362 AH / 1863–1943 CE) was the most prolific and influential Islamic scholar of South Asia in the 20th century. Known as 'Hakim al-Ummah' (Physician of the Community) and 'Mujaddid al-Milla' (Reviver of the Community), he wrote over 1000 books and pamphlets. His most famous work, Bahishti Zewar (Heavenly Ornaments), is a comprehensive guide to Islamic practice for women that remains one of the most widely read Islamic books in South Asia. He was a Sufi shaykh of the Chishti-Imdadi order and was associated with Darul Uloom Deoband.