About

                                        Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

An Introduction to 
HAZRAT MAULANA ABDUL HAMID IS`HAQ SAHEB

(Daamat Barakaatuhum)

Principal of Daarul Uloom Azaadville, South Africa and

A Senior Khalifa of Hadhrat Maulana Shah 

Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB)

Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Ibn Ibrahim Is’haq Sahib was born on the 24^th of Shawwal 1364 AH (20th September 1946) on the auspicious day of Jumu’ah at 1 p.m. (the time of Jumu’ah) in Primrose, a district of Germiston, on the East Rand, as recorded by his father on the back of his birth certificate.

Hadhrat Moulana Sahib grew up in difficult conditions. The dwelling of Hadhrat Maulana’s family was a stable which had been converted into a house.

At the young age of nine, Hadhrat Moulana lost his mother, Amina. (May Allah جَلَّ جَلَالُهٗ   shower her Qabr with His mercy).

Moulana attained his Maktab education at Madrasah Quwwatul-Islam in Germiston. Amongst his Asatizah, were: Moulana Fakhruddin Sahib (RA), Hafiz Muhammad Salloo Sahib (RA), Moulana Ahmed Bera Sahib (RA) and Apa Zubeida (RA).

Moulana attended the Singh Indian Primary School in Germiston up to standard five (1370-1376/1952-1958). Thereafter, he proceeded to William Hills High School in Benoni where he completed his Matric (1377-1381/1959-1963).

In 1382/1964 (at the age of 17), Hadhrat Moulana enrolled at the Waterval Islamic Institute (Mias Farm) to study the Aalim Course. There, over a period of five years, Maulana studied various Kitaabs, including Hidaaya Awwalain and Jalaalain, under the expert tuition of Asatiza such as: Mufti Ibrahim Sanjalwi Sahib (RA), Mufti Bashir Sanjalwi Sahib (RA), and Moulana Ibrahim Mia Sahib (RA).

During this very period Moulana utilized whatever free time was available for the memorisation of the Qur’aan Majeed which he completed under the renowned Ustaadh of Hifz, Hadhrat Hafiz Abdur Rahmaan Mia Sahib (RA).

Thereafter in 1388 AH (1969), at the age of 22 Moulana travelled to India and took admission in the world famous institute, Darul Uloom Deoband. The following year (1389) Hadhrat Moulana completed the Aalim-Fadhil course, studying Bukhari Sharief under Hadhrat Moulana Fakhruddin Sahib (RA) and Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (RA).

After qualifying, Moulana spent an additional year at Deoband, solely to make effort on the Qur’an Majeed (revision and Tajweed.)

When Hadhrat Moulana had arrived in India, Moulana took Bay’at at the hands of Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith, Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Sahib (RA) and had established an Islaahi Ta’alluq with Hadhrat Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (RA).

Before returning to South Africa, Hadhrat Moulana went to Saharanpur to spend Ramadaan in the auspicious company of his mentor. It was during this period that Hadhrat Moulana was informed of the passing away of his father, Ibrahim Bhai, who had passed away on the 29th of Ramadaan at the age of 63, due to a heart attack. (May Allah جَلَّ جَلَالُهٗ shower his Qabr with His Mercy)

On his return from India, Hadhrat Moulana took up the post of Imamat at the Germiston Masjid. Together with Imamat, Moulana taught Maktab and later taught Hifz, and devoted himself to the effort of the Tablighi Jama’at.

Moulana had a great fervour and interest to translate the Kitaabs and great works of our Akaabir (religious elders) from the Urdu language into English. For this, Moulana thought that he should do a course in journalism so that he may have a better command of the language, etc. On application for the course, he was informed that a bachelor’s degree had to be done first.  Moulana thus did his B.A. with Unisa, through correspondence.

In 1396 (1976), after completing his B.A. with distinctions, majoring in Arabic and Linguistics, Moulana spent 1 year in Jamaat, in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, together with his wife. 

After completion of the 1 year in Jamaat, the Rand Afrikaans University approached Mia’s Farm as they required a lecturer in Islamic studies. Mia’s Farm referred them to Hadhrat Moulana.

Moulana made mashwarah concerning this with the Ulama of Mia’s Farm, as well as with Marhoom Bhai Padia Sahib (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh). It was eventually decided that Moulana accept the offer. Thus, Moulana became a lecturer at RAU. Moulana not only lectured the students, Moulana also taught lecturers from the Pretoria University, Potchefstroom University, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and other Universities.

During this period, RAU offered Moulana the option to do his BA Honours, which he did. Moulana lectured at RAU in 1977 and 1978. The University, being pleased with Moulana’s results, registered him for his M.A. and doctorate for which only one thesis each had to be written.

After having accepted the post, and whilst studying, Hadhrat Moulana realized that the university had only requested for Moulana to come in as a lecturer, to further their agenda to harm Muslims.  Since then, Moulana has publicly repented for studying for these degrees and lecturing at the university, and hopes that that would be an eye-opener for others.

Thereafter in 1979, Moulana left for his second ‘one-year’, travelling to countries such as Holland, Belgium, Turkey, France and the UK. On his return Moulana lost interest in university studies and lecturing.

Moulana continued with Imamat, teaching Hifz and the Aalim Course in Germiston.

In 1401 (1981), many more students desired to do the Aalim Course under Moulana. Great efforts were made to accommodate them in Germiston, but this did not materialize.

In the Khanqah of Hadhrat Shaikhul-Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Saheb, Mashwarah took place as to Moulana moving to Azaadville to establish a Darul Uloom there. Finally in 1402(1982) Moulana moved to Azaadville and established the Darul Uloom there, with the Fadhl of Allah Ta'ala. 

In 1994 Hadhrat Moulana took Bay’at to Hadhrat Arif-Billah Shah Moulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullahi 'alayh). Hadhrat Moulana thereafter accompanied his honourable Shaikh for Umrah. On the Mubarak day of Jumu’ah, in front of the Ka’bah Sharief, in front of the Mizaab-e-Rahmat, after the Asr Salaah, Moulana was blessed with Khilafat.

Despite old age, illness, and the responsibilities of the Darul-Uloom, which rest upon Hadhrat Moulana’s shoulders, Hadhrat Moulana’s deep hearted passion to spread the message of the love of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) has caused Hadhrat Moulana to travel the length and breadth of his country as well as many countries of the world.

May Allah جَلَّ جَلَالُهٗ bless Hadhrat Moulana with long life, good health, the strength to continue in his blessed endeavours and Divine acceptance. Ameen

Taken from : http://khanqahashrafiaislamia.co.za/about/

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MEETING HAZRAT MAULANA (Daamat Barakaatuhum)

Extracted from the book:   “MASNOON DUAS”

The following is an Article written by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Haneef Jaalandri Saheb (DB ), for the monthly newsletter entitled AL KHAIR, which is published and distributed by Madrasah Khairul Madaaris, Multan, Pakistan.

[Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Haneef Jaalandri Saheb (DB) is the principal of Khairul Madaaris and is the son of Hazrat Maulana Khair Muhammad Saheb (RA), who was not only the founder of  Khairul Madaaris, but also a select Khaleefa of Hakeemul Ummah, Mujaddide Millat, 

Ashraful Ulama, Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (RA).]

“I had the fortune of arriving at the highly recognised, and distinguished Institute, Madrasah Arabia Islamia, in Azaadville (Johannesburg), South Africa on Tuesday, the 8th of July,  1997.

As I reached South Africa, my intention was to visit this institute. However, as they were having their vacation break, I got delayed. In Pakistan, I have heard a lot about this institute, and the respectable name of its founder and principal, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb.

Some Ulama had especially requested that I convey their Salaams to Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb. I too, had a great desire to meet the aforementioned Hazrat Maulana. When I phoned, Hazrat Maulana’s friendliness and sincerity was beyond my expectations, and  Hazrat Maulana invited me to the Madrasah and for supper.

Subsequently, at about Maghrib time, as we were approaching the Masjid, from a distance, I saw a beautiful and magnificent building which portrayed the dignity of Islam, and this, in a non-Muslim country.

I saw many such institutions in South Africa, all of them are praiseworthy, and in line with religious conformity. However, this institute stands out. I performed my Maghrib Salaah in the Jaame Masjid of this institute. It was filled to capacity with students from the Madrasah, and it is a very beautiful, vast and spacious Masjid.

After performing my Maghrib Salaah, I met Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (DB), the principal and founder of this institute, for the first time, and I expressed to Hazrat Maulana, that I desired to meet him for some time now, as I had heard a lot about him. Hazrat Maulana replied, “After having seen me, you must have regrets, as I am not in person, as what you might have heard, or imagined me to be. I am but an ordinary person.”

Hazrat Maulana’s reply has not terminated my astonishment, and until today these words still echo in my ears. Hazrat Maulana’s humility and self-annihilation is inherent to such an extent, that this great servant of Allah Ta’ala, and  Aalim of  Deen thinks nothing of himself.

I immediately replied that Hazrat Maulana, in his personage, superseded whatever I heard, or imagined him to be.

The house is a short distance from the Masjid. Our discussion continued while we had our meals. Hazrat Maulana, with perfect affection, added that as long as I am going to be in Johannesburg, I should be his guest. Subsequently, I accepted Hazrat Maulana’s invitation and agreed to stay at the Madrasah for a few days.

Seeing that I have a preference to staying in a Madrasah, the environment is familiar and intimate, and listening to the Qur’aan Shareef, and the Hadeeth of  RASULULLAH  (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is an added blessed opportunity.

This Madrasah is a great Deeni institution. There are more than four hundred students studying in this Madrasah. Apart from local students, there are the students from the west, Africa, as well as Arabia.

Initially, conversant study medium was English, the medium then later changed to Urdu. Apart from Hifzul Qur’aan Shareef, lessons are catered for in Hadeeth Shareef right until the final stage of Aalim graduation. There are great and reputed Asaatiza (tutors), who are fulfilling their duties to completion by tutoring the students in this institute. Apart from the tutoring (Ta`leem) facility, the students are guided in right living, social and general etiquettes and spiritual nurturing (Tarbiyah).

Seeing the students, I became envious. They wore Amaamas which conformed to the Sunnah. Their dressing was in line with Shariah. All the students were found to congregate for  Salaah with Jamaat before Takbeere Ula. In my opinion, the Madaaris of Pakistan should also give Tarbiyah (spiritual nurturing) preference to  Ta`leem (education). These days, this aspect requires greater attention. I stayed here for four days.  Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb was extremely hospitable.

Hazrat Maulana’s allegiance (Bay’ah) is with the Khaleefa of  Hazrat Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb (RA), (Khaleefa of Hakeemul Ummat Thaanwi),  Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB) of Karachi, who has also given  Khilaafat to  Hazrat Maulana.  Hazrat Hakeem Saheb  (DB)’s grace is clearly visible in South Africa. Many leading Ulama are Mureeds and Khulafaa of Hazrat Hakeem Saheb (DB).

In each city, the Ulama and people in general have a connection with Hazrat. It would not be untrue if it were said that at this time in South Africa, the largest gathering of adherents  and associates belong to  Hazrat Hakeem Saheb (DB).  Hazrat Hakeem Saheb (DB) is a prominent member of the advisory board of the Karachi Madaaris, Multan and the Khairul Madaaris. Hazrat always cherishes us with his compassion and  Duaas.

In my travel to South Africa, among those people who had hosted me, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb’s name comes foremost to mind. Words do no justice in expressing my thanks to the kindness and affection he has shown me. I will never forget the hospitality and affection I got from Hazrat Maulana.

The aforementioned Maulana has a temperament in which is combined knowledge and practice, he is a man of piety, humility, simplicity, good character, compassion and hospitality.  Hazrat Maulana is a living example of sincerity, Godliness, and the simplicity of our pious predecessors.  Hazrat Maulana has Mureeds also, MASHA-ALLAH in adequate numbers.”