Maulana Marghoobur Rahman Qasmi (RA): A Man Like an Angel (1914-2010)

Maulana Marghoobur Rahman Qasmi (RA): A Man Like an Angel (1914-2010) By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in MAULANA Marghoobur Rahman Qasmi (RA), ex-Vice Chancellor of the famous Islamic seminary of the Indian subcontinent: Darul Uloom, Deoband was an exemplary man. He was a man like an angel. He was born in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, India in 1914 AC. He started his primary education at the home and hometown Madrasa. Having completed his primary education, he came to the second largest Islamic university of the world: Darul Uloom, Deoband (DUD) in 1929 AC. He graduated in Islamic Studies from the DUD in 1932. Then he completed his Ifta Course from the same institution, under the supervision of Mufti Mahdi Hasan Shahjahanpuri (RA), the ex-Mufti of Darul Uloom, Deoband. Among his teachers were Shaikhul Islam Husain Ahmad Madani (RA), Mufti Shafi Usmani Deobandi (RA) (the founder of Darul Uloom, Karachi, Pakistan), Mufti Mahdi Hasan Shahjananpuri (RA) and Mufti Sahool Bhagalpuri (RA). He had the thick relationship with Shaikhul Islam Husain Ahmad Madani and his family members; even his son: Maulana Anwarur Rahman Qasmi is married to the daughter of Maulana Asad Madani (RA) and grand-daughter of Sheikhul Islam. He was selected as a member of the governing council of Darul Uloom, Deoband in 1962. In 1982, when Darul Uloom, Deoband was facing a huge crisis, at that crucial movement, he was appointed as the VC by the governing council. He was the third longest serving and the 8th VC of Darul Uloom, Deoband. He served as the VC from 1982 to 2010, till his last breath. He never gave a chance to anyone to point finger at his administrative ability upto the time he was in the office. He was one of the best administrators without holding an MBA degree. His father Hakim Maulana Mashiyyatullah (RA), a graduate of Darul Uloom, Deoband, was the pupil of Shaikhul Hind Mahmood Hasan Deobandi (RA) and was the member of the governing council of Darul Uloom, Deoband from 1925 to 1952. Maulana Rahman was from a landlord family of Bijnor. But he never wanted to expose his towering position and high status before anyone. Yes! His simple living and high thinking attracted the masses and classes. He never took a penny for his 28-year services from Darul Uloom, Deoband and was always thoughtful about its development and progress. His hardworks bore fruits and Darul Uloom, Deoband got development in every aspect and from every angle. Now he is no more among us, but everyone remembers and will bear in his mind him for his noble work. He passed away on 8th December, 2010 at his ancestral place Bijnor. The same day, his body was brought to Darul Uloom, Deoband. The Janazah Salaah (funeral prayer) was led by Maulana Anwarur Rahman Qasmi, his alone son. He was buried in Mazaare Qasmi (Qasmi graveyard) in Deoband. May Allah, the Exalted shower His mercy and blessings on his grave and grant him Jannah! Kiya Khoob Aadmi The Khuda Maghfirat Kare! (The author, Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi, is a graduate of Darul Uloom, Deoband and at present teacher of Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, S. Africa. He can be reached at qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in)