My Teacher – My Friend (6)

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

It’s Thursday 27th January 2022 / 25 Jumādā al-Thānī 1443H.

Starting the 6th and final year at Dārul Uloom is a dream come true for all students. If only the clock stopped there for eternity. The feeling is fantastic, that you have finally made it.

Our Ḥaḍrat had entrusted the Bukhārī Sharīf students with various Dārul Uloom responsibilities. It was an amazing honour. During this year, the students get closest to their teachers and try their utmost best to benefit from them, knowing that this may be the last time we are in their auspicious company. Life will move on.

As well as being taught Muslim Sharīf by Muftī Ṣāḥib, I was regularly in contact with Muftī Ṣāḥib regarding various responsibilities. An amazing feature I noticed in Muftī Ṣāḥib in those days, which is prevalent even today, is that despite teaching for so many years and being so experienced and having the knowledge, Muftī Ṣāḥib will still do a lot of research (known as muṭāla’ah in our terminology) before teaching his lessons.

Muftī Ṣāḥib was also one of the few teachers who had mastered virtually every kitāb taught in the 6-year course. When the time for the verbal (taqrīrī) exams approached (3 times every year), each and every ‘Ālim Class student would make very special Du’ās that Muftī Ṣāḥib is not chosen as their examiner. Secret no. 2 revealed. Sorry, Muftī Ṣāḥib.

Muftī Ṣāḥib was strict and firm but also friendly and caring. He did lose his temper with us on a few occasions, but then we were no angels. All in all, a wonderful teacher.

One of the saddest times of my life was the day when I met all my teachers, upon the conclusion of my ‘Ālim course. At the moment of meeting Ḥaḍrat, I was unable to control my emotions and burst out crying. Ḥaḍrat consoled me. Today I don’t have Ḥaḍrat anymore. However, I do have a lot of my teachers and mentors around me. I also have Muftī Ṣāḥib.

In 1982, I was taught by Marḥūm Ḥāfiẓ Ismā’īl Bodhāni in the famous cabins, next to our boarding building. In 1983, my over 16’s Ḥāfiẓ Class teacher was Mawlānā Farūq Desāi Ṣāḥib. Then, from 1985 to 1991, I benefited from many distinguished scholars. All of them were amazing.

Don’t miss the last and final part of this very special 7 part series coming up tomorrow, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.

جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
Graduate of Dārul Uloom Bury (1991)

Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Part 4 ; Part 5 ; Part 6 ; Part 7