By Manzar Imam, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: It seemed like another world where people sat calm and composed to listen to the words of wisdom by ulama exhorting them to lead ideal lives and set examples of a corruption-free and peaceful world where values are more important than mere words and social service and sacrifice are the most sought after virtues.
The occasion was the annual gathering of Madrasa Abdur Rab in which five students had to be honoured with the degree of fadhilat at the successful completion of a formal course that certify them to be maulanas.
Located at Delhi’s Kashmere Gate, Madrasa Islamia Arabia Abdur Rab has a long history. It was established in 1292 A.H., just 9 years after establishment of Darul Uloom at Deoband. Famous figures like the former Shahi Imam of the historic Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Abdullah Bukhari had studied there.
The last lesson, or Akhri Sabaq as they call it, of Bukhari Sharif, considered as the most authentic collection of large body of hadith or traditions of Prophet Muhammad, is generally taught along with advisory notes to the graduating batch how to lead life when they go out to face the world outside the premises of their respective madrasas. The last lesson of Bukhari is also generally attended by local Muslims and sometimes even students and ulama of nearby madrasa.
Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Saeed Qasmi Madani, sheikh-ul-hadith, Jamia Sirajul Uloom, Dhule, Maharashtra, taught the last lesson. Before explaining the meaning and message of the lesson, the hadith teacher shed elaborate light on the life, work and sacrifices of Imam Bukhari, the compiler of Bukhari Sharif. In the life of Imam Bukhari, said Maulana Madani, there are lots of lessons for us. As against the general trend of poor or mediocre families who send their wards to madrasas, Imam Bukhari’s family was very rich. But his mother decided to send her son to study hadith and Islamic sciences and thus was produced a great aalim whose knowledge spread far and wide.
Imam Bukhari led an exemplary life and never compromised with the identity and dignity of an aalim and scholar of hadith even at the cost of huge personal loss. Such examples need to be followed by all ulama, said Maulana Madani.
Speaking on this occasion, Member of Parliament, Maulana Mohammad Asrarul Haque Qasmi mentioned about some pioneering ulama of Delhi and the sacrifices they had made in facing the challenges of their times. He asked graduating students of madrasas to be ready to face similar kind of challenges. He also briefly mentioned about the old madrasas of Delhi and drew people’s attention to the needs and requirements of madrasas.
Maulana Iftikhar Hussain Madani, head of the Academic Council of Madrasa Abdur Rab presided over the proceedings. President of the Administrative Committee, Haji Muhammad Harun, members Dr. Muhammad Yusuf, Haji Sadiq, Haji Nazirul Haque Paracha besides many ulama, students and others were present. Maulana Zafruddin Qasmi coordinated the programme and it ended with vote of thanks by Mufti Abdul Wakil Qasmi.
(Writer is a journalist based in Delhi. He may be contacted at manzarkhalil@gmail.com)