Mawlānā Mahmudul Hasan Deobandi Rahmatullāhi Alayh

The great ‘Ālim, freedom fighter, and first student of Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband, Mawlānā Mahmudul Hasan Deobandi Rahmatullāhi Alayh, more famously known as Shaykhul Hind, was born in 1268 AH (1851) in the town of Bareilly. His father, Mawlānā Zulfiqar ‘Ali Rahmatullāhi Alayh, was also an erudite ‘Ālim of his time and was among the ‘Ulamā who supported Mawlānā Qasim Nanotwi Rahmatullāhi Alayh in establishing the great seminary Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband in 1283 AH (1866).

As Shaykhul Hind was the first student of Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband, most of his studies were done under the tutelage of Mawlānā Qasim Nanotwi Rahmatullāhi Alayh. He also studied the Sihah Sittah, the six most authentic books of Hadith, under him.

He completed his studies in 1290 AH (1873) and was made a supply teacher at the seminary in 1292 AH (1875), before being appointed as the Principal in 1305 AH (1888). During his tenure as Principal, he took Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband to the pinnacle of Islamic studies, establishing it as a world-renowned seminary to which students came from far and wide. He taught at Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband until his last breath.

Shaykhul Hind Rahmatullāhi Alayh was a beacon of spirituality. He pledged bay‘ah at the hands of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir-e-Makki Rahmatullāhi Alayh, from whom he later received the mantle of Khilafah. After his demise, he acquainted himself spiritually with Mawlānā Rashid Ahmad Gangohi and Mawlānā Qasim Nanotwi Rahmatullāhi Alayhimā, receiving Khilafah from the former. They were his teachers as well as spiritual guides.

Shaykhul Hind Rahmatullāhi Alayh also played an integral role in the decolonisation of India from British rule, because of which he was persecuted inhumanely in the jails of Malta. This resulted in Hadrat becoming frail and weak by the time he was released and returned to India.

PIETY & DEVOTION

Shaykhul Hind Rahmatullāhi Alayh was no doubt an ‘Ālim of high calibre; however, alongside this academic excellence, he also possessed the recognition of Allah Ta‘ālā and acquired a great rank in spirituality. Such was his piety that from his student days he was very punctual with the Tahajjud Salah, a practice which he remained steadfast upon until his demise. Even though he was not a Hafidh of the Qur’an, he would recite long Surahs from what he had memorised and would lengthen his Rukū‘ and Sujūd.

His connection with the Glorious Qur’an was such that in the month of Ramadan, upon returning home after the ‘Isha Salah, he would request various Huffadh to come and recite two or three Juz from the Glorious Qur’an each. He would continue like this until late at night, until his feet would swell due to excessive standing. The Huffadh would become tired and request leave, but he would continue with his devotions.

Hakīm-ul-Ummah Mawlānā Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi Rahmatullāhi Alayh
If a person uses willpower, then nothing is difficult, and willpower comes from staying in the company of a complete individual (a Shaykh). And ‘staying in his company’ does not mean leaving your family and job and dedicating all your time to him. Rather, it means going to him from time to time whenever feasible, constantly informing him of your spiritual condition, and thereafter remaining steadfast on whatever guidance he gives; then, InshaAllah, a person will develop willpower. Though possible, it is generally very difficult without the company of such an individual and a strong connection to him.

Why do we go to a doctor for cures? It is because we understand that without going to the doctor we will not find cure; he is the doctor for physical ailments while a Shaykh is the doctor for spiritual ailments. No one contests the need for the former, yet people contest the need for the latter … what is the difference?

Respect and Etiquettes
Hadrat Shaykh al-Hind Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh was spiritually connected with Haji Imdadullah Muhajir-e-Makki Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh, but upon the instruction of his spiritual guide, he was told to frequent the company of Hadrat Mawlānā Rashid Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh, as Haji Imdadullah Muhajir-e-Makki Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh was residing in Makkah Mukarramah while he was in India.

Adhering to these instructions, in search of spiritual guidance and the company of his Shaykh, he would go and visit Hadrat Mawlānā Rashid Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh on a weekly basis when leave was given, from ‘Asr Salah on Thursday until Maghrib Salah on Friday. The astonishing fact was that Gangoh, a small village, was approximately 30 miles from Deoband, where Shaykh al-Hind Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh taught. He would not take any transport to Gangoh; rather, he would walk the 30 miles out of respect, reverence, and etiquette for his spiritual guide, Hadrat Mawlānā Rashid Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh, and would return another 30 miles walking. This was a habit of his for many years.

Demise
This package of spirituality and piety, ocean of knowledge, and selfless freedom fighter returned to his Creator after a short illness on 18 Rabi al-Awwal 1339 AH, corresponding to 30 November 1920, whilst making dhikr of “Allāh, Allāh” seven times. The eighth time, his tongue touched the palate, but his soul departed this temporary abode and met his Creator. Inna lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rāji‘ūn.

He passed away in Delhi and was transported to Deoband, where he was buried next to his teacher, Hadrat Mawlānā Qasim Nanotwi Rahmatullāhi ‘Alayh, in the cemetery of Darul ‘Ulūm Deoband.