Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi, may Allah have mercy on him (Part 20)
Alongside the Ministry of Education
We decided to spend six days in Kabul; the Ministry of Education prepared and presented the programs for meetings and lectures in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
Professor Gholam Mohammad Niazi, the head of the Faculty of Sharia at Kabul University, made significant efforts and displayed grace in the planning of these events, particularly regarding the welcoming of guests.
The first blessing was the selection of Professor Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, a professor at the Faculty of Sharia at Kabul University. He put forth considerable effort and kindness in these plans, especially concerning the hospitality of the guests. Professor Sayyaf was appointed as the delegation’s companion and translator. He was fully prepared for this precise and challenging mission, and I found no one more capable or sincere than him in translating from the speaker’s language to my own. Professor Sayyaf, a graduate of Al-Azhar University, has a strong relationship with academics and pays special attention to Islamic guidance and the intellectual development of college and university students based on sound principles. He had read some of my books before meeting me, and many of his colleagues are interested in the works of Master Sayyed Qutb, Master Maududi, and Kateb Sotour, and he is eager to translate them into the two official languages of the country: Farsi (Dari) and Pashto. Two other professors, Dr. Mohammad Musa Tawana and Burhanuddin Rabbani, share this work, and Burhanuddin Rabbani has published translations and writings.
The six days we spent in Kabul felt very limited considering the country’s importance and size. However, they provided sufficient benefits in terms of programs and valuable insight. We accepted the challenges of our short stay due to certain circumstances by enduring hard work and multiple responsibilities. Sometimes, we combined four or five programs in a single day, including visits to large schools, delivering speeches, meeting prominent figures, and attending gatherings. On some days, due to numerous tours, lectures, and staying up late, we felt exhausted and returned late; but when we encountered the warm welcomes from the noble brothers and the enthusiasm of the young attendees, our strength and joy returned, compensating for the sacrifices we had made.
Visiting Scientific Institutes and Cultural Centers
The school of Imam Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, topped the list of the scientific schools and cultural centers we visited, where we gave speeches to professors and students. This school is located in the Baghrami area (one of the districts of Kabul).
This institution comprises three levels: elementary, middle, and high school. Its esteemed manager, Professor Mohammad Saylani, guided us through its classrooms, rooms, and dining hall, before we addressed a large audience of students and faculty. They assured us that the attendees were familiar with and understood Arabic; therefore, there was no need for a translator. The second school we visited was Dar Al-Hofaz. Its manager, Sayyed Mohammad Yaqub Hashemi, warmly welcomed us and organized a magnificent ceremony.
The third school we visited was Darul Uloom Kabul, a major scientific center and the largest religious school in the capital. I learned that the current Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Musa Shafiq, is one of its alumni. Darul Uloom is blessed with well-educated professors and renowned scholars, with Sheikh Mohammad Gol serving as the head of its faculty.
A significant gathering was organized in the school courtyard, attended by many local scholars, elders, and notable figures. The delegation received a warm welcome filled with enthusiasm.
Professor Ahmad Mohammad Jamal and I delivered lectures. I spoke about the merits of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, who zealously safeguarded the religion from deviants and apostates, elaborating on his timeless statement: “Will religion diminish while I am alive?” I also addressed the responsibilities of scholars in their respective countries. During this event, we spoke freely and expressed our thoughts candidly, as a conducive scientific and religious atmosphere prevailed, allowing most attendees to comprehend Arabic.
At the pinnacle of the great scientific institutes, where professors and students were delighted to engage and hear lectures, was the School of Sharia, regarded as the true host and regular venue for members of the delegation, who belonged to families of scholars and were engaged in religious research. Its head, Dr. Gholam Mohammad Niazi, is a distinguished scholar and researcher with deep religious insight and considerable skill in Islamic studies. This faculty organized a dinner to foster camaraderie among the honorable brothers and colleagues, and it was through their efforts that a grand ceremony was held in the large hall of Kabul University, attended by ambassadors, professors, educators, high-ranking officials, and numerous students.
We also visited Malali Girls’ High School, named after Malali, an Afghan lady who was a leader in the independence movement. At this school, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad Jamal spoke eloquently about the status, rights, and respect afforded to Muslim women in Islamic Sharia and society. While at the high school, we felt as if we were in a girls’ school in a European capital or a center of Western culture.
The practice of unveiling, combined with modesty and embarrassment—a hallmark of the Afghan nation—was prevalent. The students asked questions of the speaker with dignity and caution, and he answered them competently and insightfully. Professor Ahmad Mohammad Jamal specializes in Muslim women’s rights and the comparative study of Islamic law and foreign legislation. The manager of the school regarded the right of polygamy as an insult to women and requested the issuance of a social fatwa to prohibit it. However, the Professor explained the rationale and factors that have led Islam to permit this right.
We also visited the boys’ high school known as Istiqlal, which was constructed in a modern style reminiscent of French architecture, and its director, Professor Abdul Hadi, studied in France. At this school, I delivered a lecture on the concept of the “model” and its impact on the upbringing and character development of youth.
