Ahmad bin Umar bin Ahmad bin Aqil al-Hinduwan was a Ba Alawi scholar born in Tarim from the line of Muhammad Mawla al-Duwayla. Al-Mashra al-Rawi records that he studied with scholars of his time, including his maternal uncle Abu Bakr bin Husayn Bafaqih, before travelling widely in search of knowledge.
His travels took him to India and later to the Hijaz, where he performed Hajj and studied with scholars in Mecca and Medina. Al-Shilli records that Ahmad studied with him in the Two Holy Sanctuaries, read a number of works with him, received broad scholarly authorisation and was invested with the khirqa.
Ahmad returned to India and the Deccan, where the biography records his association with the court of Adil Shah and his role as a teacher and religious adviser. A later Indian biographical compilation independently preserves the same full lineage, the sobriquet al-Hinduwan, his Tarim origin, his travels through India and the Hijaz, and his connection with the Deccan.
The closing note in Al-Mashra al-Rawi records that Ahmad later returned to Tarim and died there in 1113 AH.
Scholarly connections
Teacher: Muhammad bin Abi Bakr al-Shilli. In his first-person account, al-Shilli says that Ahmad studied works with him in the Haramain and received his authorisation.
Lineage and source note
Primary source: Al-Mashra al-Rawi fi Manaqib al-Sada al-Kiram Al Abi Alawi, volume 2, biography of Ahmad bin Umar bin Ahmad bin Aqil al-Hinduwan. It records his Tarim origin, study, travels, relationship with al-Shilli, teaching activity in India and death in Tarim in 1113 AH. A later Indian biographical compilation independently preserves the same identity and career.