A Leading Authority on Arabic Language
Sheikh
Noor Alam Khalil Amini: Life, Teaching Methodology and Works
By: Khursheed Alam Dawood
Qasmi*
Sad Demise of Sheikh Amini
A leading authority on Arabic language, a
prolific writer of the Arabic and Urdu languages, an honest journalist, an
outstanding Islamic scholar and my beloved teacher, Sheikh Noor Alam Khalil Amini, passed away on 3rd
May 2021 early in the morning at around 03:15 AM, according to Indian time. His
sad demise was mourned by several scholars and thousands of his students spread
all over the world. His name was Noor Alam and was well-known as Noor Alam Khlil
Amini as he used the same name as his pen name for almost five decades as a
writer, journalist and author. His patronymic was Abu Usamah Noor. His father’s
name was (Hafiz) Khalil Ahmad. He was born on 18th December 1952 at
his maternal place: Harpur Beshi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. He was from a known
village: Raipur of district Sitamarhi in Bihar. His grandfather’s name was
Rasheed Ahmad.
Orphan-hood and Upbringing
Sheikh Amini’s father was Hafizul Qura’an.
He had completed his Hifz from a Madrsa in Allahabad, UP. He was serving as a
teacher in a certain Madrasa in district Dinajpur of West Bengal, an India
province. When he received the message of being blessed with a baby boy, he
came home to see his new born baby. At that time, a fatal disease called cholera
had broken out in the vicinity. In the same epidemic, he passed away leaving
his newly born baby an orphan. When his father died, Amini was merely three
months old. He was brought up by his paternal grandmother firstly. Following her
demise, he was brought up by his loving mother. He had much love for his
grandma and mother as he expressed it while attributing his famous book, “Woh
Koh Kan Ki Baat…” to these two unknown, but caring and affectionate ladies.
The book is a biography of Sheikh
Waheeduz-Zaman Kairanavi (1930-1995).
Beginning of Education
He started his primary education from
his maternal grand dad who had received his basic education from Madrasah
Chashma-e-Rahmat, Ghazipur, UP. After his demise, he was educated in a Maktab
of Raipur from Maulavi Ibrahim (May Allah grant him Jannah!). Here in
this Maktab, he learnt reading the Holy Qura’an, Urdu, Hindi languages, handwriting
and the basics of mathematics. In 1958, he moved to Madrasah Noorul Huda in
Pokhraira, a village almost two KMs away from his native land, Raipur. He used
to go to the Madrasah in the morning and come back in the evening.
Madrasah Imdadia, Darbhanga
The famous Islamic scholar Maulana Owais
Ahmad Qasmi (Deceased: 1998) of Sheikh Amini’s home town, was teaching in
Madrasa Imdadia, Darbhanga (Est.: 1893). He was requested by Amini’s grandma to
take him to Imdadia for his further studies. So, he got admission in Imdadia in
1961. Firstly, he started memorizing the Glorious Qura’an by heart and
completed 7 parts of it. Next year, he got admission in the 6th
grade of basic stage of learning and studied the books like Gulsitan and Bositan
of Sheikh Sa’adi Shirazi (deceased: 1291) along with some basic Urdu and Arabic
books. He benefited in this Madrasa from Shiekh Owais Ahmad Qasmi and Shiekh Muhammad
Tasleem Qasmi Sidhulwi (1930-2003).
In Darul Uloom, Mau, UP
He got admission in Darul Uloom, Mau
in the first grade of Fazilah Course. He continued his learning up to the
fourth grade in Mau, UP. He made the most of the scholars of the institution
which he off and on used to mention whole heartedly. In this institution, he
learned from reputed scholars of the time like Sheikh Abdul Haq Azami (later
the teacher of Bukhari Shareef (Vol. 2) at Darul Uloom Deoband), Maulana Riyasat
Ali, Maulana Ameen Adravi, Maulana Sheikh Muhammad Mauvi, Maulana Niyaz Ahmad
Khairabadi, Maulana Sultan Ahmad, Maulana Riyazul Haq, Qari Muhammad Yaseen,
Maulana Islamuddin and Maulana Naziruddin Mauvi (May Allah grant them Jannah!).
He used to praise and remember profoundly the last mentioned one not only in
his gathering; but in some of his articles too. He used to mention him as an
obedient son does about his kind father.
In Darul Uloom Deoband
Sheikh Amini got admission in Darul Uloom Deoband in
December 1967. He was one among the prominent students. Being in Darul Uloom,
he paid much attention towards learning Arabic language and literature, though
he was also one of the top in another subjects. He had close and thick relation
with the distinguished teacher of the Arabic language, Maulana Waheeduz Zaman Kairanvi.
He was highly influenced with Kairanvi. In Darul Uloom, he learnt from Allamah
Muhammad Husain Bihari, Maulana Naseer Ahmad Khan, Maulana Fakhrul Hasan Muradabadi,
Maulana Shariful Hasan Deobandi, Sheikh Muhammad Naeem Deobandi, Maulana Sayyid
Anzar Shah Kashmiri, Mufti Khursheed Alam Deoband, Maulana Hamid Miyan, Maulana
Bahaul Hasan Muradabadi (May Allah grant them Jannah!) and Allamah Qamruddin Gorakhpuri
(May Allah protect him!). In 1970, he got admission in Madrasa Aminia, Delhi.
He graduated from this Madrasah learning the books of Hadeeth from Sheikh Sayyid
Muhammad Miyan Deobandi (1903-1975) and Sheikh Sayyid Mashhudul Hasan Amrohvi
(1927-2010) in Shaban 1391 AH.
Desire for Admission in Islamic University, Madinah
Following the completion of his Fazilah course in 1391 AH,
he stayed in Ramadhan in Madrasa Aminia. He had desire to get admission in
Islamic University, Madinah Manawwarah. He discussed about his desire with his
great teacher Maulana Miyan Deobandi. He told him about not having much
knowledge about the admission in the University. But being a kind and caring
teacher, he took him to Mufti Atiqur Rahman Usmani (1901-1984) and informed him
about his desire. Mufti Usmani said that Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi
(1914-1999) had been a member of the advisory body of the University. If he
recommends, he will get admission easily. For this, he got ready to write a
letter to Sheikh Nadvi asking him to do this favour. Maulana Deobandi also
wanted to write a letter to Sheikh Nadvi in this regard. Coming back from Mufti
Usmani, Maulana Deobandi advised him to write an application in Arabic language
for the admission in his own handwriting in Naskh font. Then the letters
and the application were sent to Mufakkir-e-Islam Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi to recommend for the sought admission.
In the Service of Mufakkire Islam
Mufakkir-e-Islam was pleased with both the language and the
handwriting of the application. He recommended for the admission and informed
Maulana Deobandi through his letter. He also wanted to see the applicant. As Amini
got information through the letter of Maulana Deobandi, he left for Lucknow in
February 1972. He met Sheikh Nadvi in Takiyah Kalan, Raebareli. He remained for
some moths in his service and assisted him in his academic works. In this
period, Mufakkir-e-Islam dictated his Arabic book: “Al-Seerah Al-Nabawiyyah” to
him.
Teaching Job at Nadvatul Ulama
Replying to the application of the admission, Islamic
University informed him at the end of April 1972 that admission was not
possible in that current academic year; but it had assured the admission for
the next year. Due to the financial grounds, he could not wait for the next
year. Now, he thought of searching for employment. He informed his teacher
Maulana Deobandi about his state of affairs. When Mufakkir-e-Islam learnt about
his affairs, he informed Sheikh Amini about his decision to appoint him as a
teacher at Draul Uloom Nadvatul Ulama, Lucknow after the summer vacation of May.
Mufakkir-e-Islam also told him that he, therefore, didn’t need to run after a
job. Thus he was appointed as a teacher on 11th July 1972 at
Nadvatul Ulama, Lucknow. He continued serving as a teacher of Arabic language
and literature up to the mid of 1982.
In DarulUloom Deoband as the Editor and Teacher
Sheikh Amini was appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of
fortnightly Arabic magazine: Al-Daie and the teacher of Arabic language and
literature at Darul Uloom Deoband in Shawwal 1402 (August 1982). As the chief editor, he published the
first issue of the magazine on 7th
Muharram 1403 –
25th October 1982. He continued serving as the editor and the teacher
until he breathed his last. He
proved his mettle as the Editor and able teacher. Due to his works as the
editor and teacher, he was considered authority on Arabic language and literature.
Teaching Methodology
His last and final destination was
Darul Uloom as the Editor and teacher. As he was an eminent writer of Arabic
language, he was an adept teacher of Arabic literature. He was teaching “Dewan-e-Mutanabbi”
in the 6th grade of Fazilah course and “Al-Mukhtarat Al-Arabiyyah”
in Takmeel-e-Adab (Specialisation in Arabic Language). Moreover, he was also a
guide for the students of “Takhassus Fe Al-Lughah Al-Arabiyyah” (Specialization
in Arabic Literature) and teaching them some subjects. In this long period of five
decades, thousands of students benefitted from him.
Before learning from him, this writer
had the opportunity to learn from the scholars who had been his students. I had
heard a lot from them about his authority on Arabic language and literature,
his unique style and skill of teaching, his beautiful manner of living a good
and model life strictly adhering to his day-to-day schedules with punctuality. That
is why I was much impressed and had great love, respect and regard for him.
Then in 2004, I had the chance to learn from him as a student of “Takmeel-e-Adab”
in Darul Uloom Deoband. I learnt from him a book: “Al-Mukhtaarat Al-Arabiyyah”
(a collection of several news and reports on different topics from Arabic
newspapers).
He was very punctual of time. He used
to reach the classroom on the time. Whenever he came for teaching, but let me
say: whenever he left his residence, he used to wear Kurta, Pyjamas and beautiful
Sherwani of a size fitting for his body above the Kurta. The Sherwani was always
fastened with buttons and its collar was joined from one side to another one
always. He wore a long cap of the same Sherwani’s material (at home, he used
the round one). He kept pens in the front pocket of Sherwani. He wore the black
polished shining leather shoes above the socks. Be it scorching summer or
freezing winter seasons, it was his dress code. He used to keep a shoe spoon in
his Sherwani’s pocket. When leaving the classroom, he used to wear the shoes
with the same spoon and all the students saw him with a smile expression on their
faces. Either he was coming to the class or going back, some students used to
accompany him. He was very quiet and calm; while walking. When he found
something for comment, he commented in few sentences.
Just after sitting in the classroom,
he took students’ attendance register and started roll-call. He was very punctual of
it. Then a student used to read the chosen text of the book which was to be
taught. Then teaching would start. He used to remind the learners to read the
text loudly and clearly. Sometimes, he used to tell them that the Arabic
language requires loud voice so that each letter is pronounced correctly. It
was his routine to start the lesson on the first day of academic year without any
introductory speech. It was his rule that the students must reach the classroom
before the teacher. They obeyed it with punctuality. He also used to advise them
to come to the class with a notebook and a pen to note the points of his
lectures. As he was engrossed in teaching, he hoped from them to be dedicated
and attentive paying full heed towards the teacher or the book in the period.
When he was
teaching Al-Mukhtaraat Al-Arabiyyah, he was in the habit of educating the learners
the accounts of the meaning and sense of the words, phrases and sentences used
in the news. He always pointed the word used in positive meaning and the word
used in negative one. He also explained to them how the meaning of a verb keeps
on changing with the change of a Silah (preposition). While teaching, he
used to tell only the appropriate meaning of the word in the sentence and
avoided the other ones, except when it was essential to tell those ones or he
reminded if the same word was used in another meaning in a previous lesson. While
translating a text, he cared much of the Urdu literature and its grammar. He
used to educate them the suitable place of a subject, object and verb in an
Urdu sentence. Translating a heading, he used to educate that a Fel-Mudha’ar’a
(simple present tense) is used for the heading in Arabic language; but in Urdu
it would be translated with an infinitive.
It was not possible only few students
are playing a part keenly in his lesson and the most of them are just sitting to
listen as audience participating in a gathering. He used to remind them to read
the text and participate in the lesson attentively and sincerely. It was his
habit to ask the questions from them during the period to keep them active and
attentive. He would advise them to read Arabic text carefully avoiding
grammatical mistakes. If a learner made such mistake, he was very quick to warn
him. It was absolutely not liked in the
period that a student pronounces “Seen” instead of “Sheen”, “Jeem” instead of
“Zaa” or “Kaaf” instead of “Qaaf” (some Arabic alphabets) etc. Sometimes he
used to advise them to correct the pronunciation of a letter and inform them
the importance of Tajweed.
In the lesson, whenever he found a
sentence with good structure, he told the learners to jot it down in their
notebooks. He then advised them to ponder over the structure of the sentence
and write several sentences following the same structure. For this exercise, he
used to tell them to keep a separate notebook. For starting point, he used to
suggest them first to understand that the sentence either starts with a noun or
with a verb (according to Arabic grammar). If a sentence starts with a noun,
first recognize Mubtada (Subject) and Khabar (Predicate). Then let the Mubtada remain at
its place and change the Khabar with another one. Sometimes, change the Mubtada
and let the Khabar remain at its place. Occasionally, let both of them
remain at their places and add an adjective to the Khabar, then another
one and make the sentence longer. If the sentence starts with a verb, recognize
the Faail (Subject), leave all the words of the sentence at their places
and replace the masculine Faail with another one. If the Faail is
feminine, replace it with another feminine Faail. At times, replace the
condition of the Faail and change the verb as the Faail requires.
Sometimes, just change the Mafool (Object) with another one. The learners
were suggested to make a lot of sentences using the said useful methods.
His Published Works
He was one of the few distinguished men
of letters of Arabic and Urdu languages in India. He was an experienced
translator, journalist and author.
He translated
dozens of Urdu books of Islamic scholars. He penned hundreds of articles and
books in both Urdu and Arabic languages. He made exceptional
contributions to Islamic scholarship. Here we present an incomplete list of his works:
Work in Arabic Language
(1) Al-Sahabatu-Wa-Makanatuhum Fil
Islam, (2) Mujtamaa’atunaa Al-Mua’asirah Wa Al-TariquIaa Al-Islam, (3)
Al-Muslimoon Fee Al-Hind…, (4) Al-Dawah Al-Islamiyyah… (5) Miftahul Arabiyyah
(2 Volumes), (6) Al-Aalim Al-Hindi Al-Fareed Al-Sheikh Al-Muqri Muhammad
Tayyib, (7) Filisteen Fee IntizaariSalahiDeen, (8) Ta’allamu
Al-ArabiyyahFaInnahaa Min Deenikum, (9) MataaTakunu Al-KitaabaatMuath-thirah, (10)
Min WahyilKhaatir (5 Volumes), (11) Fee Maukab Al-Khalideen.
Work in Urdu Language
(1) Woh Koh Kan Ki Baat…, (2) Sahabah-e-Rasul
Islam Ki Nazar Men, (3) Harf-e-Shireen, (4) Khatte Ruqah Kiyun Aur Kaise Sikhen?,(5)
Maujudah Salibi Sahyuni Jang, (6) Kiya Islam Paspa Ho Raha Hai? (7) Filisteen
Kisi Salahuddin KeIntezar Men, (8) Pase Marg Zindah, (9) Raftagane Na Raftah.
Translated Work
Sheikh Amini translated almost 35 worthy Urdu books of great
Islamic scholars and thinkers of the Indian sub-continent like: Hakimul Ummah Maulana
Ashraf Ali Thanvi, Sheikhul Islam Maulana Sayyid Husain Ahmad Madani, Hakimul
Islam Qari Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi, Mufakkire Islam Maulana Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi, Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Nomani, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani etc. All
these books are published and available in the market.
Write-ups and Articles
He wrote more than 500 write-ups and articles on various
Islamic, literal, social, political etc. topics, published in several Arabic and
Urdu magazines and newspapers like Al-Daie, Al-Bath Al-Islami, Al-Raid,
Al-Dawah, Al-Faisal, Rabitah Al-Aalam Al-Islami, MajallahDarulUloom, Majallah Ta’amir-e-Hayat,
Majallah Al-Furqan, Majallah Al-Haq etc. published from India, Pakistan and
other Arab, non-Arab countries.
Awards and Honours
As a selfless servant of Arabic and
Urdu languages, Sheikh Amini served almost for five decades as a prolific
writer, journalist, author and teacher of Arabic language and literature. A
good number of readers benefited from his reliable works and thousands of
students quenched their thirst of Arabic language from him. Therefore, recognizing
and honouring his services in the field of Arabic language, the Indian
government awarded him with the Presidential Certificate of Honour in 2017.
Some universities also appreciated his services in the field of Arabic language
and accepted the topics related to his personality and services for research. Mr.
Abul Kalam wrote his thesis on “Socio-Political Aspects in the Writings of Noor
Alam Khalil Amini with Special Reference to Falastin Fi Intezari Salahi Deen”
as a research scholar of Arabic Department of Assam University, under the
guidance of Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad and was granted the doctorate degree. Mr. Mohd.
Sajid Khan, research scholar, Department of Arabic, University of Calicut, is
writing his Ph. D. thesis on “Contribution of the Writer Noor Alam Khalil Amini
in Arabic Literature” under the supervision of Dr. K. Mohammad Basheer, the VC
of University of Calicut. His services in the field of Urdu language have also been
appreciated. Currently Maulana Umar Farooque Qasmi from Damla, Madhubani, a
research scholar in Urdu Department, LN Mithla University, Darbhanga, is
writing thesis for his Ph.D. degree on “Noor Alam Khalil Amini- Ahwal-o-Aasar
(in reference to Urdu language)” under the supervision of Professor Md. Aftab
Ashraf. All these are awards, honours and appreciation of Sheikh Amini’s
tireless and sincere works and services for five decades, in my view.
His Survivors
Sheikh Amini is survived by his
wife, four daughters and three sons: Mufti Usamah Noor Qasmi, Umarah Noor and
Maulana Sumamah Noor Qasmi. Maulana Sayyid Arshad Madani, the President of
Jamiate Ulame Hind and Head-Teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband led the funeral
prayer in the campus of Darul Uloom Deoband. Hundreds of scholars and students
attended the funeral prayer. He was buried in the “Qasmi Graveyard” of Deoband
on the same day 3rd May. May Allah accept his services and grant him
Jannah! ⦁⦁⦁⦁
*Moon
Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa,
Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in
