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Darul Uloom Deoband

This article is about Darul Uloom Deoband (main). For Darul Uloom Deoband (Waqf), see Darul Uloom Waqf.

The Darul Uloom Deoband is an Islamic seminary (darul uloom) in India at which the Sunni Deobandi Islamic movement began. Uttar Pradesh-based Darul Uloom is one of the most important Islamic seminaries in India and the largest in the world. It is located in Deoband, a town in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The seminary was established by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi, Fazlur Rahman Usmani, Sayyid Muhammad Abid and others in 1866. Mahmud Deobandi was the first teacher and Mahmud Hasan Deobandi was the first student.

Darul Uloom Deoband
دارالعلوم دیوبند
Other name
Darul Uloom
TypeIslamic university
Established31 May 1866 (158 years ago) (1866-05-31)
FoundersMuhammad Qasim Nanautavi, Sayyid Muhammad Abid, Fazlur Rahman Usmani and others.
RectorAbul Qasim Nomani
Studentsc. 5000
Location
Deoband, Uttar Pradesh
,
India
CampusUrban, 70 acres (28 ha)
Websitewww.darululoom-deoband.com
Darul Uloom Deoband.

On 14 October 2020, the executive council of the seminary appointed Arshad Madani as the principal (sadr-mudarris) and Abul Qasim Nomani as the senior hadith professor (shaykh al-hadith).[1]

History

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Darul Uloom Deoband was established on 31[2][3] May 1866 by Fazlur Rahman Usmani, Sayyid Muhammad Abid, Muhammad Qasim Nanotawi, Mehtab Ali, Nehal Ahmad and Zulfiqar Ali Deobandi.[4][5] Mahmud Deobandi was appointed as the first teacher, and Mahmud Hasan Deobandi was the first student who enrolled in the seminary.[6]

In 1982, during the Vice Chancellorship of Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi, administrative disputes occurred in the seminary which led to the formation of Darul Uloom Waqf.[7][8]

The spread of the Deobandi movement in the United Kingdom has produced some criticism concerning their views on interfaith dialogue and values including democracy, secularism, and the rule of law. [citation needed] In September 2007 Andrew Norfolk of The Times published an article titled "Hardline takeover of British mosques" about the influence of the Deobandis whom the author called a "hardline islamic sect".[9]

 
Masjid-e-Rasheed in the seminary.

In February 2008, an anti-terrorism conference organized by the seminary denounced all forms of terrorism.[10]

Program

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The school teaches manqulat (revealed Islamic sciences) according to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.[citation needed] In this seminar, Nanawtawi instituted modern methods of learning such as teaching in classrooms, a fixed and carefully selected curriculum, lectures by academics who were leaders in their fields, exam periods, merit prizes, and a publishing press.[citation needed] Students were taught in Urdu, and sometimes in Arabic for theological reasons or Persian, for cultural and literary reasons. The curriculum is based on a highly modified version of the 18th century Indo-Islamic syllabus known as Dars-e-Nizami.[citation needed] The students learn the Quran and its exegesis; Hadith and its commentary; and juristic rulings with textual and rational proofs. They also study the biography of Muhammad, Arabic grammar, Arabic language and literature, and Persian language.[11]

The syllabus consists of many stages. The five-year Nazirah (primary course) teaches Urdu, Persian, Hindi and English. The next level is the Hifze Quran. This involves the memorization of the Quran over two to four years. A few students will then choose Tajwid e Hafs (melodious recitation). The student is taught the detailed recitation rules of the Quran as laid down by Arabic Hafs. Still fewer will take up the next course, the Sab'ah and 'Asharah Qira'at (study of all the ten Quran recitations).

A post graduate studies equivalent is the Fazilat course taken over eight years. It commences with Arabi Awwal, in which the basics of the Arabic language is the main aim, and finishes with Daura e Hadith, in which the main books of the sayings of Muhammad are taught. A prerequisite for this course is completion of primary education. Memorization of the Quran is also recommended. Students who complete the Fazilat may use the title Alim or Maulvi. The Daurae Hadith (final year) class is taught in the basement of "an under construction seven storied building". In the 2017–2018 academic year (1438–1439 AH), 1664 students attended the Daurae Hadith class.

Almost a quarter of the students who complete the Daurae Hadith continue their studies. These advanced courses include Takmil Ifta (Jurisprudence); Takmil Adab (Arabic literature); and Takhassus fil Hadith (Hadith).[11] Students who complete the Takmil Ifta take the title Mufti.

Role in the Indian independence movement

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See also: Silk Letters Movement

The political ideals of Darul Uloom Deoband were founded up to ten years prior to its opening. In 1857 (1274 AH), Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (a spiritual leader) and his followers, Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi, Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi, Muhammad Yaqub Nanautawi and others gathered at Thana Bhawan to protest against British rule and continue their call for the independence of India.[12] They fought what is called the Battle of Shamli.[12]

In 1913 (1333 AH), Nanautawi's pupil, Mahmud Hasan Deobandi was a leader in the independence movement. He incited revolution through a scheme which the Rowlatt committee called the Silken Letters. However, the scheme failed and Hasan and his followers were arrested and exiled. Hasan was returned from exile in Malta, and he reached Bombay in June 1920.[13] His group, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, which included Husain Ahmad Madani, Kifayatullah Dehlawi, Syed Fakhruddin Ahmad, and later on, Hifzur Rahman Seoharwi, Atiqur Rahman Usmani, Minnatullah Rahmani, Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi, and Muhammad Miyan Deobandi joined with the Indian National Congress.[citation needed]

In 1926 and 1927 (1345 abs 1346 AH), graduates of the school called for Indian independence at Jamiat Ulama meetings in Calcutta and Peshawar. Madani opposed the suggestion of the All-India Muslim League for the partition of India along sectarian lines. He also advocated democratic government with religious freedoms and tolerance.[14][15][16]

On 29 December 1929, Majlis-e-Ahrar-ul-Islam (Majlis-e-Ah'rar-e-Islam, Urdu: مجلس احرارلأسلام, or Ahrar), a conservative Sunni Muslim Deobandi political party was founded in Lahore, Punjab. The founding members of the party were Chaudhry Afzal Haq, Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari, Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi, Mazhar Ali Azhar, Zafar Ali Khan and Dawood Ghaznavi.[17] The founding members were disillusioned by the Khilafat Movement, which had aligned with the Indian National Congress.[18] The party gathered support from the urban lower-middle class. It opposed Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the All-India Muslim League and in the early years of Pakistan wanted Ahmadiyas to be declared non-Muslims.[19]

Fatwas

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A fatwa is “an issue arising about law and religion, explained in answer to questions received about it” by muftis (Islamic jurists).[20] Muftis at Darul Ifta (fatwa department), Darul Uloom Deoband are responsible for giving fatwas.[21]

On 31 May 2008, the seminary issued a significant public “Fatwa against terrorism” after a public rally in Delhi with around 100,000 representatives from nearly 6,000 madrasas across India, including those from different sects. The fatwa was a first of its kind in South Asia and stated that "in Islam, creating social discord or disorder, breach of peace, rioting, bloodsan, pillage or plunder and killing of innocent persons anywhere in the world are all considered most inhuman crimes.”[22][23][24] The edict was signed by Habibur Rahman Khairabadi.[25]

Controversial Fatwas

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In January 2012, scholars from a Deobandi school issued a religious decision calling for the author Salman Rushdie to be barred from entering India to attend a literature festival because, in their opinion, he had offended Muslim sentiments.[26][27]

In May 2010, clerics from a Deobandi school issued a fatwa stating that men and women cannot work together in public offices unless the women are properly clothed.[28][29][30]

In September 2013, scholars from a Deobandi school issued a fatwa banning photography as un-Islamic.[31]

In February 2024, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, demanded an FIR against the seminary's alleged promotion of the idea of Ghazwa-e-Hind, claiming that a supporting fatwa was available on their website, in response to a question seeking an answer to "whether Hadith talks about invasion of India or the Ghazwa-e-Hind".[32][33][34]

Entry of women in campus

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Darul Uloom Deoband has garnered attention for its stances on women’s rights, including issuing fatwas that restrict certain activities for Muslim women, such as working alongside men, watching football,[35] and plucking their eyebrows without their husband’s permission.[36] Additionally, the seminary faced criticism for its silence on the Taliban’s ban on women’s education, as the Taliban also aligns with the Deobandi ideology.[37][38]

In May 2024, Darul Uloom Deoband imposed a ban on the entry of women and girls to its premises, citing concerns over social media videos filmed on the campus. The seminary's rector Abul Qasim Nomani, stated that this decision responded to public complaints about the circulation of these videos, which were considered distracting and offensive by supporters of the institution. Prior to this, women were already restricted from entering the Rashidia mosque on campus; this restriction was now expanded to the entire seminary.[39]

In November 2024, the seminary lifted the ban on women’s entry with conditions. Women were allowed on campus only if accompanied by a male guardian, wearing purdah, and prohibited from taking photographs.[40] Reports suggested that the original ban negatively impacted nearby businesses, which led to the policy’s revision.[41]

Administration

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The seminary's co-founder Sayyid Muhammad Abid was the first vice-chancellor.[42] Abul Qasim Nomani succeeded Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi as the thirteenth VC of the seminary on 24 July 2011.[43][44]

No. Name
(birth–death) 		Term of office Reference
1 Sayyid Muhammad Abid
(1834–1912) 		1866 1867 [45]
2 Rafiuddin Deobandi
(1836–1891) 		1867 1868 [45]
3 Sayyid Muhammad Abid
(1834–1912) 		1869 1871 [45]
4 Rafiuddin Deobandi
(1836–1891) 		1872 1889 [45]
5 Sayyid Muhammad Abid
(1834–1912) 		1890 1892 [45]
6 Fazl Haq 1893 1894 [45]
7 Muneer Ahmad Nanautawi
(1831-) 		1894 1895 [45]
8 Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad
(1862–1928) 		1895 1928[46] [47]
9 Habibur Rahman Usmani
(d. 1929) 		1928 1929 [45]
10 Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi
(1897–1983) 		1929 9 August 1982 [48][49][50][51]
11 Marghubur Rahman Bijnori
(1914–2010) 		1982 2010
12 Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi
(b. 1950) 		10 January 2011 24 July 2011 [52]
13 Abul Qasim Nomani Banarsi
(b. 1947) 		2011 -- [52]

Alumni

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Main articles: List of Darul Uloom Deoband alumni and List of students of Mahmud Hasan Deobandi

Alumni include:

Publications

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Darul ‘Uloom Deoband and its alumni publish:

Legacy

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "مہتمم دارالعلوم دیوبند مفتی ابو القاسم نعمانی شیخ الحدیث اور مولانا ارشد مدنی صدر المدرسین منتخب" [Abul Qasim Nomani, VC of Deoband appointed as Hadīth professor, and Arshad Madani as the Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband]. AsreHazir. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. ^ Qasmi, Muhammadullah Khalili (October 2020). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jame O Mukhtasar Tareekh (in Urdu) (2nd ed.). India: Shaikhul Hind Academy. pp. 71, 74. OCLC 1345466013.
  3. ^ "Darul Uloom Deoband – India". Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  4. ^ Muḥammad Miyan Deobandi. Ulama-e-Haq ke mujāhidāna kārnāme (in Urdu). New Delhi: Faisal Publications. pp. 44–47.
  5. ^ Roshen Dalal (2014). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin UK. ISBN 9788184753967. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  6. ^ Metcalf, Barbara (1978). "The Madrasa at Deoband: A Model for Religious Education in Modern India". Modern Asian Studies. 12 (1): 111–134. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00008179. JSTOR 311825. S2CID 145793477.
  7. ^ Reetz, Dietrich (2009). "2. Change and Stagnation in Islamic Education: The Dar al-'Ulum of Deoband after the Split in 1982". The Madrasa in Asia. pp. 71–104. ISBN 9789048501380.
  8. ^ Bowering, Gerhard; Crone, Patricia; Mirza, Mahan; Kadi, Wadad; Zaman, Muhammad Qasim; Stewart, Devin J. (2013). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought. ISBN 978-0-691-13484-0.
  9. ^ Norfolk, Andrew (7 September 2007). "Hardline takeover of British mosques". The Times. Retrieved 13 April 2019 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Muslim clerics declare terror 'un-Islamic' – Times Of India". 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Darul Uloom Deoband". www.darululoom-deoband.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  12. ^ a b Najmul Hasan Thanwi. Maidan-e-Shamli-o-Thana Bhawan awr Sarfaroshan-e-Islam (in Urdu). Thana Bhawan: Idara Talifat-e-Ashrafia. p. 8.
  13. ^ Abu Muhammad Sanaullah Saad. Ulama-e-Deoband ke Aakhri Lamhaat (in Urdu) (2015 ed.). Saharanpur: Maktaba Rasheediya. pp. 23–24.
  14. ^ "Islamic Pakistan". www.ghazali.net. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  15. ^ Jaffrelot C. and Beaumont G. A History of Pakistan and Its Origins. p224. ISBN 1-84331-149-6.
  16. ^ "Barelvi Islam". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  17. ^ Ahmad, Syed Nesar (1991). Origins of Muslim Consciousness in India: A World-system Perspective. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-27331-5.
  18. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (28 September 2004). A History of Pakistan and Its Origins. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1-84331-149-2.
  19. ^ Bahadur, Kalim (1998). "Dark Forebodings About President Tarar". Democracy in Pakistan: Crises and Conflicts. Delhi: Har Anand Publications. p. 176. ISBN 978-8-12410-083-7.
  20. ^ Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Kéchichian, Joseph A.; Messick, Brinkley; Dallal, Ahmad S.; Hendrickson, Jocelyn (2009). "Fatwā". The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-530513-5.
  21. ^ "About". darulifta-deoband.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  22. ^ Majumdar, Bappa (1 June 2008). "Darool-Uloom Deoband issues fatwa against terror". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  23. ^ Dash, Kamala Kanta. "The Fatwa against Terrorism: Indian Deobandis Renounce Violence but Policing Remains Unchanged" (PDF). Radicalisation Crossing Borders International Conference, Melbourne, Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Coming, fatwa against terrorism". Hindustan Times. 20 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Deoband first: A fatwa against terror". The Times of India. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Darul Uloom Farangimahal fatwa Rushdie Jaipur visit. Siasat.com
  27. ^ Cleric seeks apology from Rushdie.[permanent dead link‍] Kashmir monitor.org 19 January 2012.
  28. ^ "Young Muslim women fume at Deoband diktat." Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine News-views.India.
  29. ^ "archive.ph". archive.ph. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Insurance policy is un-Islamic: Deoband." Archived 21 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine Express India
  31. ^ "Deoband issues fatwa banning photography as un-Islamic – Times Of India". 14 September 2013. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Child rights body seeks FIR against Deoband's Darul Uloom over Ghazwa-e-Hind fatwa". Hindustan Times. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Child rights body seeks action against Darul Uloom Deoband over Ghazwa-e-Hind fatwa". India Today. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Child rights body seeks action over 'anti-India' fatwa on website of Darul Uloom Deoband". The Indian Express. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Women watching football is un-Islamic, rules Darul Uloom". theweek.in. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issues fatwa banning Muslim women from grooming eyebrows". Firstpost. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  37. ^ "Why Indian Deobandis Are Quiet on Women Education Ban?". Hasht e Subh. 18 February 2023.
  38. ^ "Why Indian Deobandis Are Quiet on Women's Education Ban?; By Manish Rai". www.pakistanchristianpost.com. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  39. ^ Raju, S (17 May 2024). "Darul Uloom bans entry of women, says they made reels; activists say unfair". Hindustan Times.
  40. ^ "UP Islamic seminary Darul Uloom lifts ban on women's entry, veils compulsory". India Today. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  41. ^ "After 6 months: Deoband seminary lifts ban on women visitors, imposes conditions". Hindustan Times. 10 November 2024.
  42. ^ Rizwi, Syed Mehboob, History of the Dar al-Ulum Deoband, vol. 2, translated by Murtaz Hussain F Quraishi, p. 167
  43. ^ Abantika Ghosh (25 July 2011). "Vastanvi axed as Darul V-C for praising Modi". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, New Acting Mohtamim of Darul Uloom Deoband". DEOBAND ONLINE. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h Rizwi, Syed Mehboob (November 1981). "Arbab-e-Ehtemam". History of The Dar al-Ulum Deoband (PDF). Vol. 2. Translated by Prof. Murtaz Husain F. Quraishi (1st ed.). Idara-e-Ehtemam, Dar al-Ulum Deoband. pp. 164–178. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  46. ^ Rizwi 1981, p. 173.
  47. ^ Ernst, Carl W.; Martin, Richard C. (27 November 2012). Rethinking Islamic Studies: From Orientalism to Cosmopolitanism. ISBN 978-1-61117-231-7. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  48. ^ Mufti Taqi Usmani (April 2007). "Qari Muhammad Tayyab". Nuqoosh-e-Raftgaan (in Urdu). Karachi: Maktabatul Maarif. pp. 193–194.
  49. ^ Tayyib, Qari Muhammad (June 1965). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Sad-Sāla Zindagi [Centenary Life of Darul Uloom Deoband] (in Urdu) (1st ed.). Deoband: VC Office, Darul Uloom. pp. 96, 101.
  50. ^ Qasmi, Muhammadullah (October 2020). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jame O Mukhtasar Tareekh (in Urdu) (2nd ed.). India: Shaikh-Ul-Hind Academy. pp. 583, 585, 747, 750. OCLC 1345466013.
  51. ^ Amini, Noor Alam Khalil (June 2010). Pas-e-Marg Zindah (in Urdu) (3rd ed.). Deoband: Idara Ilm-o-Adab. pp. 159, 173.
  52. ^ a b Ghosh, Abantika (24 July 2011). "Vastanvi axed as Darul V-C for praising Modi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  53. ^ Ameeni K. (ed.) Al-Da'ee/Ad-Da'ee.
  54. ^ Qaasmi H. (ed.) Maah Namah Darul 'Uloom.
  55. ^ 'Alwi K. (ed.) Aaeenah
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