Memories (Episode 12-A)
The Land Near ʿAllama Usmani’s Grave (may Allah have mercy on him)
A notable event took place during this academic year (i.e. 1374 AH, corresponding to 1955) which I feel is necessary to mention in some detail:
At that time, there was no major madrasa in Karachi except Dār al-ʿUlūm. Due to this, the number of students was constantly increasing, and the building in Nanak Warah became very cramped. Everyone felt the need for the madrasa to be shifted to a spacious area. Who would have felt this need more than our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him)? Therefore, he was actively searching for a bigger place. After a prolonged effort, he obtained the large piece of land lying empty near the grave of Shaykh al-Islam Hadhrat ʿAllama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani (may Allah have mercy on him).
The events leading up to obtaining this piece of land and thereafter giving it up are an extraordinary chapter of our respected father’s (may Allah have mercy on him) life. Regarding these events, I heard my Shaykh (spiritual mentor) ʿĀrif Billah Hadhrat Dr Abdul Hayy ʿĀrifi, Hadhrat ʿAllama Sayyid Muhammad Yusuf Binnori (may Allah have mercy on them both), and several other scholars say that this single act of Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafiʿ (may Allah have mercy on him) was sufficient proof of the exaltedness of his character, as well as his truthfulness and sincerity. The details of this event have not been published until now, even though they are full of lessons, so I will narrate this incident in some detail.
Our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) was a student of ʿAllama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani (may Allah have mercy on him) and also his companion in the Pakistan Movement and other efforts. Furthermore, he was a distant relative of our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him), in that Hadhrat ʿAllama used to call our paternal grandmother (may Allah have mercy on her) “aunt”, meaning that our respected father was his distant maternal cousin. Hadhrat ʿAllama’s family members used to affectionately call him “Phul Abba” and his respected wife (may Allah have mercy on her) “Phul Amma”. They were childless. His brother, late respected Fadhl Haq Fadhli, had attained worldly education, as a result of which he was an officer in the Postal Department of Deoband. Hadhrat ʿAllama had adopted his daughter, who was married to Mawlana Muhammad Yahya (may Allah have mercy on him). Mawlana Muhammad Yahya (may Allah have mercy on him) was a competent scholar.
At the time of Hadhrat ʿAllama’s passing away, the then-Prime Minister respected Liaquat Ali Khan had allocated a piece of land for his tomb. A vast piece of land lay empty near the tomb. On the one hand, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) wished for a Dar al-ʿUlum befitting Hadhrat ʿAllama’s stature to be established adjacent to his tomb. On the other hand, in view of the services rendered to Pakistan by Hadhrat ʿAllama (may Allah have mercy on him), it was his right that his respected wife, adopted daughter, and brother, who had migrated to Pakistan because of him and they had all left behind their properties in India, should be provided some place for residence. Therefore, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him), on behalf of the above-mentioned relatives of Hadhrat ʿAllama and a few other prominent individuals, sent an application to the Government for the establishment of a Dar al-ʿUlum in memory of Hadhrat ʿAllama Usmani (may Allah have mercy on him) on that location, and that Hadhrat ʿAllama’s relatives should also be provided residence in that area. This application was filed on behalf of a few individuals, and as is the norm in governmental institutions, it remained in the cold storage and no action was taken on it for years, until another place had been found for Dar al-ʿUlum in Nanak Warah. When the place in Nanak Warah became cramped and the need for a new place was felt, a suggestion was put forth to our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) that no action had been taken by the government regarding the land near the grave of ʿAllama Usmani (may Allah have mercy on him) because the application was a private one on behalf of a few individuals. Now that Dar al-ʿUlum was no longer just a dream, rather an officially registered institution, if the application were to be filed by Dar al-ʿUlum itself to obtain the land, it is hoped that it would be successful. Acting upon this advice, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him), after informing Hadhrat ʿAllama’s relatives about this, invited the Chief Commissioner of Karachi to Dar al-ʿUlum Nanak Warah, so that he could personally witness and appreciate the lack of space and Dār al-ʿUlum’s need. At that point, the above-mentioned relatives of Hadhrat ʿAllama (may Allah have mercy on him) were also present, and a verbal proposal was made in their presence that the said piece of land should be allotted to Dar al-ʿUlum as a memorial to Hadhrat ʿAllama, and Hadhrat ʿAllama’s wife and relatives should also be allotted residential plots in that land. After this, a formal application was sent to the Chief Commissioner on the 3rd of July 1953, about which Hadhrat ʿAllama’s relatives were aware. Talks with various government officials continued, and it was learned that this application could not go through without approval from the Municipal Corporation. Consequently, an application was submitted to the Municipal Corporation on 5th January 1954 in which, besides the request to allot the land to Dar al-ʿUlum, it was also requested that Hadhrat ʿAllama’s respected wife, his adopted daughter’s husband, and his brother should also be allotted residential plots of 800 square yards each in a section of that land. Additionally, five of Hadhrat ʿAllama’s distant relatives were also included in that list, for whom residential plots were requested.[1] After a lengthy struggle, on the 3rd of May 1954, the Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee issued a letter of recommendation for this application to be accepted. Thereafter, on the 23rd of July 1954, the Land Manager of the Corporation accepted this application with some conditions attached. After our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) accepted those conditions, on the 16th of July 1954, the Corporation formally accepted both parts of the application in its Resolution #486. According to this Resolution, 16200 square yards were to be allotted to Dar al-ʿUlum while 2548 square yards were to be allotted to Hadhrat Allama’s respected wife and other relatives. The land to be allotted to Dar al-ʿUlum was granted on lease, and it was stipulated that if Dar al-ʿUlum did not fulfil the conditions of the lease, the government had the right to reclaim that land. However, the residential plots to be granted to Hadhrat ʿAllama’s respected wife and relatives were freehold, i.e. they would be made owners of those plots. In the same Resolution, our respected father and Mawlana Nur Ahmad were granted plots of 800 and 500 square yards, respectively, in their capacities as President and Director of Dar al-ʿUlum. However, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) filed an application that he and Hadhrat Mawlana Nur Ahmad did not wish to take any land for their personal residence, and that the land allotted to them as their personal properties should also be allocated to Dar al-ʿUlum.
For legal follow-up of this Resolution, it was sent to the Chief Commissioner of Karachi. The Chief Commissioner, in his approval, wrote that 16,200 square yards of the land was allotted to Dar al-ʿUlum, and the residential plots allotted by the Municipal Corporation to Hadhrat Allama’s respected wife, son-in-law, and brother were also approved. However, the plots allotted to Hadhrat Mufti Shafiʿ (President of Dar al-ʿUlum Karachi) and Mawlana Nur Ahmad (Director of Dar al-ʿUlum Karachi), since they had themselves requested to forgo them, were also to be allotted to Dar al-ʿUlum. However, the application to grant residential plots to the five distant relatives of Hadhrat ʿAllama was not approved. (This order of the Chief Commissioner, with reference number L.c.g.L 1.54, was issued on 7th December 1954, along with the Resolution from the Karachi Municipal Corporation’s Land Manager Office attached to it. This order and Resolution, along with all related documents, are preserved in Dar al-ʿUlum).
Having fulfilled all legal requirements, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) announced the construction of Dar al-ʿUlum at that location. A signboard was erected on that land with the inscription: “Dar al-ʿUlum Karachi, in memory of Shaykh al-Islam Hadhrat ʿAllama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani”. Allah Most High had bestowed Hadhrat Mawlana Nur Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) the special qualities of tireless effort, initiative, and the ability to accomplish the most difficult tasks in a short period of time. It was he who had tirelessly worked day and night to secure that piece of land. And when the land was finally acquired, he quickly built a few temporary rooms so that the construction work could be supervised from there, and to ensure ease of communication, he also had a telephone line installed, and also obtained an electricity connection for necessities.
Nonetheless, our respected father (may Allah have mercy on him) wished for the official opening of the madrasa to be conducted by the esteemed and pious scholars of the country. To this end, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Hasan, Hadhrat Mawlana Muhammad Idris Kandhlavi, and Hadhrat Mawlana Ahmad Ali Lahori (may Allah have mercy on them) were invited from Lahore, Hadhrat Mawlana Khayr Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) was invited from Multan, and Hadhrat Mawlana Athar Ali (may Allah have mercy on him) was invited from East Pakistan. A two-day annual gathering was announced for Sunday, the 26th, and Monday, the 27th of Jumada al-Thaniyah 1374 AH, corresponding to the 20th and 21st of February 1955, during which the foundation stone of the new building was to be laid.
Our respected father also sent a letter of invitation to Hakim al-Islam Hadhrat Mawlana Qāri Muhammad Tayyib (may Allah have mercy on him), the Principal of Dar al-ʿUlum Deoband, to which Hadhrat replied:
The Office of Dar al-ʿUlum Deoband, District Saharanpur
My respected brother, may Allah Most High increase your exalted honour,
I humbly present the Prophetic greetings (salam). I was much obliged by your honourable letter. Firstly, I present my utmost delight and heartfelt congratulations on the joyous news (the founding of Dar al-ʿUlum). During my stay in Karachi, I would hear the names of various Dar al-ʿUlums. Some of them were established, while others remained dreams. All of their founders expressed their desire to attribute them to the mission of Hadhrat Mawlana Shabbir Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him). However, it is strange that the heart would not accept any of those plans with this attribution. It was firmly engraved in the heart that if a Dar al-ʿUlum were to be established under this mission, it would only be Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafiʿ who would establish it. When you informed about the establishment of Dar al-ʿUlum, and I also received a brief tract regarding it, my heart was overjoyed, as I felt that that plan had been born in its true form today, and now it will progress further. This worthless one’s thought has been proven correct. At the same time, I had also envisioned that this Dar al-ʿUlum should be built at the very place Hadhrat ʿAllama took as his final resting place. I would gaze upon that land longingly, as if that land itself was waiting for Dar al-ʿUlum. Thanks be to Allah, who has granted this good news today, that the plan is now near to its planner, and Dar al-ʿUlum has reached a place from where it will receive spiritual support at all times.
Dar al-ʿUlum Deoband also started functioning first, and only later were the foundations of its building laid. The same is happening with this Dar al-ʿUlum. This similarity is a good omen. If that Dar al-ʿUlum was established by the distinguished and sincere individuals of that time, then this Dar al-ʿUlum is likewise being established by their true heirs, who are their followers and successors in both knowledge and practice.
I will try my utmost to attend this blessed ceremony, but you know that this is not always in one’s control, especially considering the constraints of time. Please pray that Allah Most High grants success. السعي منا والإتمام من الله (Making an effort is our duty, and making it happen is from Allah).
Please accept my gratitude for remembering me, to you and the members of Dar al-ʿUlum. If all of us strive in our supplications, then every difficulty will be eased. The effort will stem from the passion of our hearts. Please convey my salam to Khalifa Ji[2]. I pray for your children. Please convey my salam and my request for dua to your respected mother and wife.
With salam,
Muhammad Tayyib
From Deoband, 27/5/1374 AH
Hadhrat Mawlana Muhammad Idris Kandhlavi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied:
Respected, may your bounties and blessings continue forever,
I offer you the Prophetic greetings (salām). I received your letter, which was a source of much joy. Inshā Allah, I will be present with my heart and soul. However, I would like to make a few requests: firstly, if a topic could be specified for the speech, I could prepare accordingly. When Hadhrat Farūq al-Aʿẓam remarked before delivering a speech: “زوَّرتُ في نفسي مقالةً”[3], then what to say of insignificant ones like us?
Secondly, it would be good if the gathering could take place in front of the grave of Hadhrat Mawlana Usmani.
Thirdly, I would like to request that I be excused within two days, so that I may attend to other matters after the gathering.
I am awaiting your reply.
With salam,
Muhammad Idris (may he be forgiven)
Hadhrat Mawlana Khayr Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) replied:
The Office of Madrasa ʿArabiyya Khayr al-Madaris, Multan, Pakistan
My noble and honourable Mufti Sahib, may your blessings continue forever,
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuhu,
After asking about your well-being, I would like to say:
Although such a long journey in February seems quite difficult, but as they say
“الضرورات تبيح المحظورات” [4]. In compliance with your instructions, I will depart from Punjab on Friday, 18 February, and Inshā Allah arrive in Karachi on Saturday, 19 February. I will stay at Mawlvi Aftab Ahmad Sahib’s place at Madrasatul Islam Sindh. I will come to you by myself at some time. Please do not make any arrangements for my reception. With salām.
Requesting dua, lowly Khayr Muhammad (may he be forgiven) from Multan
12 February 1955
Hadhrat Mawlana Ahmad Ali Lahori (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote:
Anjuman Khuddam al-Din
Sheranwala Gate, Lahore
My master and the master of scholars and the learned, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafiʿ, may your blessings continue forever,
Assalamu ‘Alaykum Wa Raḥmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Securing land for the establishment of Dar al-ʿUlum is a blessing. Insha Allah, this land will be a source of guidance for Muslims. I humbly pray in the Court of Allah that He grants its utmost completion during your blessed life, and that this fountain of life continues to quench the thirst of students of Islamic knowledge for eternity, and that God-fearing scholars, who are accepted in the Court of Allah, continue being produced from this land forever and ever. [5]وما ذلك على الله بعزيز. Due to my constraints, I am unable to attend and humbly seek your pardon.
The humblest of all creatures, Ahmad Ali (may he be forgiven)
Our respected father’s (may Allah have mercy on him) teacher, Hadhrat Mawlana Rasul Khan, (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote:
Honourable Mawlana Sahib, may your bounties and blessings continue forever,
Assalamu ʿAlaykum Wa Raḥmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
I received your esteemed letter, which brought me great honour and pride. May Allah Most High continue to grant you limitless success in both religious and worldly affairs. Amin.
I am ready and most pleased to attend, as I consider it a great honour to participate in this inauguration event. However, you are aware of my daughter’s court case. The next hearing is scheduled for 7th February 1955. If this does not prevent my attendance, Insha Allah I will definitely participate in this blessed event.
Please do not send transportation expenses. If there are no obstacles, I will not be deprived of the honour of attending this inauguration ceremony. I am extremely grateful for remembering me. With salam and respect,
If you happen to meet respected Haji Wajih al-Din, kindly convey my salam.
Muhammad Rasul Khan (may the Most Merciful forgive him)
Mawlana Azhar Shah Qaiser, the son of Imam al-ʿAṣr Hadhrat ʿAllama Anwar Shah Kashmiri (may Allah have mercy on him), wrote:
Respected one, may your blessings continue forever, I present the Prophetic salam.
I received Dar al-ʿUlum’s prospectus and your kind invitation, and I express my heartfelt gratitude. I read the announcement regarding the building with deep satisfaction. What value does my opinion hold? But I would at least say that, at one time, a part of the community of Deoband branched off to the people of Gujarat and Kathiawar, and they spread the Din as far as Africa. At a later time, these individuals were entrusted with the task of preserving Islamic practices in the newly-formed state. Fortunate is the land that opened its arms for Mawlana Usmani, and blessed is that tract of land that received such a zealous achiever as Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafiʿ. If the people of Pakistan reflect, they will realize that the groundbreaking and construction of Dar al-ʿUlum is a momentous event taking place in their country, in which all, the rich as well as the poor, should contribute according to their means. With salam.
…………….(Continued)…………….
[1] This was because Hadhrat ʿAllama Usmani and his relatives had left their properties in India and agreements for the exchange of left-behind properties were underway. Additionally, it was also rightful due to Hadhrat ʿAllama Usmani’s services and sacrifices for Pakistan.
[2] Referring to Hadhrat Khalifah Muhammad Aqil (may Allah have mercy on him), who was a student of our paternal grandfather and taught Persian and Mathematics at Dar al-ʿUlum Deoband after him. When Hadhrat Usmani and our respected father resigned from Dar al-ʿUlum Deoband due to the Pakistan Movement, he also resigned and joined the struggle with Hadhrat ʿAllama Usmani. He was a childhood friend of our respected father and Hadhrat Qari Muhammad Tayyib (may Allah have mercy on all)
[3] Translator: I prepared a speech in my heart
[4] Translator: Necessities allow for the breaking of prohibitions
[5] Translator: And that is not difficult for Allah