Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
Deoband: The Mother of Religious Schools in the Indian Subcontinent (Part 7)
Some Features of Darul Uloom Deoband
1. Darul Uloom Deoband is considered the first domestic Islamic university in the history of India, founded with public donations, and it will continue on this path in the future—Inshallah.
2. The institution promotes moderation in following the religion and respects all the well-known jurisprudential schools of thought among the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah, while preserving the independence of various intellectual movements in the Islamic world and avoiding sectarian differences.
3. Darul Uloom Deoband emphasizes promoting the correct beliefs transmitted from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through the pioneers of the nation, including the Sahaba, Tabi‘een, and their righteous followers.
4. It fights against innovations, superstitions, and beliefs that are not permissible and are contrary to the standards of Sharia regarding prophets, saints, and righteous people.
5. The institution trusts and relies on Allah Almighty, leading a simple and untainted life, striving for the cause of truth, adhering to the customs of Islamic law, and modeling the behaviors of scholars and the righteous.
6. Darul Uloom Deoband places great emphasis on adhering to Islamic rules and regulations, especially in offering prayers in congregation at their appointed times; this university binds its students and staff to this practice above all.
7. The institution does not emphasize appearances as much as it does the inner truth; it avoids advertising and carries out its activities quietly and humbly.
8. The spirit of sincerity and accountability is the foundation of all its activities.
The Exceptional and Unique Nature of Darul Uloom Deoband
This uniqueness was fully understood by the prominent figure in the Islamic world at his time, Sheikh Rashid Reza Misri, the author of the commentary “Al-Minar,” during his visit to Darul Uloom Deoband. He expressed his heartfelt feelings about the institution: “Seeing nothing in India enlightened my eyes as much as visiting Darul Uloom Deoband. I observed a new religious and scientific movement in Darul Uloom Deoband, which is nicknamed ‘Al-Azhar of India’ and I hope will be very beneficial.”
The spirit of sincerity at Darul Uloom Deoband has amazed all visitors, including great scholars and ordinary Muslims. Every corner of the institution exudes a unique religious charm, embodying attractive scenes of scholarly research and a spiritual atmosphere of practicing the rules of Sharia. This is the distinctive characteristic of the professors, students, and staff of Darul Uloom Deoband.
Professor Ibrahim Muhammad Sarsiq, a representative of the Saudi-published newspaper “Al-Madinah,” also acknowledged this sentiment. In the issue of Saturday, 19 Jumadi al-Awwal 1400 AH, he published a detailed report on the great conference marking the centenary of Darul Uloom Deoband, held in 1400 AH/1980 AD, expressing his impressions as follows: “The love and interest of the people for this university truly surprised and delighted me, because it is rare to see such love and interest, a sense of cooperation, and a heartfelt bond between the people and their scientific institutions. I had never seen scenes of kindness in such a way, except during the days of Hajj and in the plain of Arafat.”
The Muslim community holds such trust in Darul Uloom Deoband in religious matters that no other school or university in India enjoys the same level of respect. They regard this scientific and religious center as their significant spiritual and moral shelter against all attacks on religion, belief, and Islamic laws in this country.
Objectives of Establishing Darul Uloom
The objectives of establishing Darul Uloom as stated in its founding document are:
1. Teaching the Quran and Sunnah, including their interpretation, beliefs, theology, and other sciences considered essential for understanding the Quran and Sunnah.
2. Educating students based on Islamic practices and ethics, instilling the spirit of religion into their lives.
3. Propagating, protecting, and defending religion through tongue and pen, and promoting and reviving religious practices, ethics, and sentiments among Muslims as advocated by the righteous predecessors.
4. Striving to prevent government interference in religious affairs and safeguarding the freedom and independence of science and thought.
5. Establishing religious schools and colleges in various locations to spread Islamic sciences and connect them to Darul Uloom.
The Deoband School of Thought prepared competent individuals to confront the British superpower, which seemingly never set its sun on its colonies. The old colonialists were determined to avenge the defeat dealt by the swift-flying falcon of Islam and the hero of the Battle of Hattin, Salahuddin (532-589 AH/1138-1193 AD), in the longstanding conflict between Islam and the Crusaders.
Indeed, the founders of Darul Uloom Deoband embodied the essence of this verse from the Holy Quran: «مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ» Translation: “Among the believers are men who have been true to what Allah has promised them.”
These men made every effort to create unity and empathy, adhering to the standard set by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (MABH), who said of the Sahaba of the Prophet (PBUH): “Their hearts were the purest, their knowledge the deepest, and their burdens the least.” They built towers of sincerity through their behavior, knowledge, and actions, with faith and sincerity permeating both their outward and inward selves. They turned away from worldly affairs, sacrificed material possessions and entertainment, and distanced themselves from the desires of the greedy. They endeavored to keep their sincere actions for Allah hidden from others.
Most of them embraced simplicity in food and clothing, teaching contentment to those who had set the glitter and allure of the world and its pleasures as their ultimate goal. Observing them, one would realize that the world is but a passing shadow and a fleeting blessing, and that earthly life serves as an opportunity for work, activity, and service to prepare for the eternal life of the Hereafter.
These wise men wept only for Islam at a time when others shed tears of regret over lost positions, wealth, and social status.
Throughout the long history of this university, a group of sincere servants has continually ignited the flame of love in the hearts of many and breathed life into their souls. Whenever a person sees them, he remembers Allah, and when he sits with them, his heart inclines toward divine forgiveness. Associating with them shifts one’s focus from this world, instilling a concern for the Hereafter.
Public Donations: The Sole Source of Financial Income
During the Muslim rule in India, Islamic and non-Islamic schools operated with financial support from the government. The government allocated land, endowments, and real estate to cover their expenses. However, with the fall of Muslim rule and the rise of British colonialism in India, this situation changed drastically, leaving no opportunities for assistance or cooperation through previous channels.
Consequently, the founders of Darul Uloom Deoband decided that the institution should be established with financial support from the Muslim community. This was a profound and sound decision, validated by subsequent circumstances. After the expulsion of the colonialists, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two countries, India and Pakistan. A secular government came to power in India, one that, according to the Indian Constitution, does not support any particular religion or belief and maintains a neutral stance toward all religions.
In such circumstances, adherents of each religion or belief were compelled to protect their own beliefs and find measures to teach and propagate them. The Muslims had no choice but to expand these schools and universities to preserve and protect the essence of Islam. Thus, they initiated a significant movement, the foundation of which was laid by the founder of the great Darul Uloom Deoband University. The continuation and survival of these centers has depended on the financial contributions of the Muslim community.
The unparalleled loyalty of the Indian Muslim nation and their unbreakable bond with Islam is evident in the way they meet the needs of the Islamic schools and universities across the country. A network of religious schools and colleges is interconnected throughout India, in every city and town, teaching religious matters and sciences. They provide the Muslim youth with knowledge of the Book and Sunnah, continuing their path with public support.
Continues…
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