Arshad Madani Explained

Arshad Madani
Honorific Prefix:Amirul Hind,[1] Maulana
Office1:1st President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (A)
Term Start1:4 April 2008
Predecessor1:office established
Office2:11th Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband
Term Start2:14 October 2020
Predecessor2:Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri
Office3:8th President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind
Predecessor3:Asad Madani
Successor3:"office bifurcated"
Term Start3:8 February 2006
Term End3:6 March 2008[2]
Module:
Embed:yes
Religion:Islam
Denomination:Sunni Islam
Birth Place:Deoband, United Provinces, British India
Alma Mater:Darul Uloom Deoband
Relatives:Asad Madani (elder brother)
Usman Mansoorpuri (brother-in-law)
Mahmood Madani (nephew)
Occupation:Islamic scholar
Father:Hussain Ahmad Madani

Arshad Madani (born 1941) is an Indian Islamic scholar and the current Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband. He succeeded Asad Madni as the eighth president of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind.[3] [4] The organization split around 2008, and Madani continues to serve as the president of its Arshad faction.

Early life and education

Arshad Madani was born in 1941 (1360 AH) to the fourth wife of Hussain Ahmad Madani, whom he married after the demise of his third wife and the mother of Asad Madani.[5]

Madani began his education under Hussain Ahmad Madani's authorised disciple, Asghar Ali Sahaspuri, with whom he completed the memorization of the Qur'an at the age of 8, after which he completed a 5-year course in Persian at Darul Uloom Deoband. Then he started his Arabic education in Darul Uloom Deoband in 1955[6] and completed the Darse Nizami in Darul Uloom Deoband in 1963 (1383 AH).[7] [8] [9]

His Hadith teachers include Sayed Fakhruddin Ahmad, Ibrahim Balyawi, Fakhrul Hasan Muradabadi, Naseer Ahmad Khan, Zahoor Ahmad Deobandi, Mahdi Hasan Shahjahanpuri, Muhammad Tayyab Qasmi, and Abdul Ahad Deobandi. His other teachers in Deoband include Izaz Ali Amrohi, Jalil Ahmad Kairanawi, Akhtar Hussain Deobandi, and Wahiduzzaman Kairanawi. He is the authorized disciple of his elder brother Asad Madani.[10]

Career

After graduating from Darul Uloom Deoband, Madani started his teaching career in Jamia Qasmia, Gaya, in 1965[11] and did teaching services there for about one and a half years. At the beginning of 1967, he went on a pilgrimage to Madinah and stayed there for about fourteen months.

On his return from Madina, on the advice of his teacher, Syed Fakhruddin Ahmad, in Shawwal 1389 AH (1969 AD), he became a teacher at Madrasa Shahi, Moradabad, and stayed there for 14 years until 1403 AH (1983 AD). Apart from the secondary books, the teaching of hadith books like Mishkat al-Masabih, Sahih Muslim, and Muwatta Imam Malik were also assigned to him to teach.[12] On 21 Dhu al-Qadah 1391 AH, he was also made the convener of the Academic Council along with teaching. On 11 Jumada al-Ula, 1393 AH, he was appointed the Deputy Chief of the Academic Council, and due to his efforts, the advisory committee in Madrasa Shahi approved the classification of Dars e Nizami in 1396 AH, and the educational standard of the madrassa increased. Similarly, on 14 Sha'ban 1396 AH, he was elected as a member of Madrasa Shahi's Appointment Committee.

Madani was appointed as teacher at Darul Uloom Deoband in Dhu al-Qadah 1403 AH (1983 AD). He served as the Deputy Chief of Darul Uloom's Academic Council between 1987 and 1990 AD, and then as the Head of the Academic Council from 1996 to 2008.[13]

In Safar 1442 AH (October 2020 AD), he succeeded Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri as the Principal (Head of the Teaching Faculty) at Darul Uloom Deoband by Darul Uloom's Advisory Committee.[14] [15]

Since 2012, he is a member of the World Muslim League.[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind

On February 8, 2006, Arshad Madani succeeded his brother Asad Madani following his death.[22] In March 2008, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind split into two factions. Arshad was dismissed as president in 2006, after which he formed his own faction, claiming it as the legitimate Jamiat. The other faction was presided by Usman Mansoorpuri.[23] [24] [25] [26]

In mid-2022, reports indicated that the two factions of Jamiat were moving towards reconciliation and a potential merger. Mahmood Madani's faction showed willingness to work under Arshad Madani as Jamiat president. In a significant step towards unity, Arshad Madani attended Mahmood Madani's faction's general body meeting in Deoband on 28 May 2022, where he emphasized the need for the Jamiat to unite in order to amplify their collective voice.[27] [28] [29]

Political views

Madani has criticized the partition of India and espoused Hindu–Muslim unity, stating: "Our elders from Hindu and Muslim communities went ahead on the path of unity and liberated the country from the slavery of the British, but unfortunately partition also took place. This partition has become a cause of destruction and ruin, not just for a particular community, but for both Hindus and Muslims."[30] He suggests that secularism is the only path to a cohesive and united India.[31]

In a February 2013 interview with India Today, Madani said that Narendra Modi was not credible or trustworthy to the common Muslims of India. Muslim hostility to Modi is not softening recently at all as some circles in the Indian news media have suggested. He questions whether Indian Muslims can forgive Modi for his assertion that he initiated and condoned the 2002 Gujarat riots and the ensuing violence against Muslims in India, which Madani calls a mass murder of Muslims. Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at that time.[32]

On February 12, 2023, at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi, during a speech, Arshad Madani stated, "What Hindus worship as Om, Muslims worship as Allah." He drew parallels between religious concepts, saying that Adam in Islamic tradition is known as Manu in Hinduism, and that both Om and Allah refer to the same divine entity. He explained that different languages and cultures have different names for the same God. The statement sparked controversy, with some religious leaders expressing opposition to his comparison.[33] [34] [35] [36] [37]

On November 5, 2023, Madani praised Hamas for their courage, calling them freedom fighters rather than terrorists. He argued that the Palestinian struggle, including Hamas's actions, is a legitimate fight against Israeli aggression and criticized the international community for applying double standards to Palestinian resistance.[38]

In December 2023, Madani stated that he had declared decades ago that the Babri Masjid was not constructed on the remains of any temple, and his words were eventually proven correct.[39]

In February 2024, Madani claimed that the idols currently being worshipped at the Gyanvapi mosque complex were brought from outside and were not discovered during the Archaeological Survey of India's survey. He questioned the legitimacy of the ASI's findings, arguing that if a temple had existed there before, idols would have already been present. Madani maintained that neither the Gyanvapi mosque nor the Mathura site had ever been temples, asserting that such claims conflict with Islamic beliefs.[40] [41] [42] [43]

In August 2024, Madani alleged that unprecedented challenges were emerging in India, marked by repeated attacks on Islam. He criticized the BJP for trying and failing to divide Hindus and Muslims during the general elections. Madani also recalled that during Partition, the Congress party had assured Muslim organizations that the Constitution would uphold secularism and protect minorities. He expressed concern that this promise was now under direct threat, highlighting that the issue went beyond waqf matters to the broader constitutional guarantee of secularism and minority rights.[44]

Madani appealed to political parties like the TDP and JD(U) to consider the sentiments and welfare of Muslims regarding the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. He expressed concern that this bill might make it easier to encroach on Waqf properties, including mosques and educational institutions, which are essential for the social and educational needs of the Muslim community. Madani stated that disregarding the sentiments of Muslims could potentially lead to a negative reaction.[45] [46] [47]

Madani, while commenting on the Supreme Court's decision against bulldozer justice, stated that the court has confirmed everything the Jamiat had been saying. He said demolishing someone’s house with a bulldozer is not a punishment but a crime, and only the judiciary has the authority to determine legality, not the government. He also reiterated that punishment should not be meted out to the family members of someone who commits a crime.[48] [49]

See more

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: আমিরুল হিন্দ নির্বাচিত হলেন সাইয়্যেদ আরশাদ মাদানী . 2023-02-22 . www.jugantor.com . en.
  2. News: Jamiat-Ulama-E-Hind splits . 13 July 2021 . Hindustan Times . 5 March 2008.
  3. http://www.jamiatulamaihind.com/home.html Maulana Arshad Madani addresses an Eid gathering on jamiatulamaihind.com website
  4. News: Its cowardly act, Jamiat condemns it Pulwama attack in strongest possible terms: Maulana Arshad Madani. Newsd www.newsd.in. 16 February 2019. en.
  5. Web site: Sharifi. Tanweer Ahmad. حضرت آپاجان رحمۃ اللہ علیہا زوجۂ محترمہ شیخ الاسلام حضرت مولانا سید حسین احمد مدنی. Aapajan, wife of Ms. Shaykh al-Islam, Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani. September 2012. 20 August 2023. Jamia Al Uloom Al Islamia. Allama Muhammad Yusuf Banuri Town, Karachi. ur.
  6. Book: Muzaffarnagari. Muhammad Taslim Aarifi. Saharanpuri. Abdullah Sher Khan. أساتذة دار العلوم و أسانيدهم في الحديث. Asanīd of Hadith teachers of Darul Uloom. Maktaba al-Haramain. Deoband. 40–43. 2023. 1st. ur.
  7. Book: Hardoi. Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi . Darul Uloom Diary: Disciples of Fakhr al-Muhadditheen. Idara Paigham-e-Mahmud. Deoband . 35. 2017. ur.
  8. Web site: Benglori . Muhammad Farqan . 6 July 2021 . 5th Amir-ul-Hind Maulana Sayed Arshad Madani: Life and Services . live . http://web.archive.org/web/20231121011840/https://mazameen.com/%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%81%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B3-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AD/ . 21 November 2023 . 21 August 2023 . mazameen.com . ur.
  9. Book: Barni, Khalilur Rahman Qasmi. Qafla-e-Ilm o Kamāl. Idara-e-Ilmi Markaz. Bangalore. 375. 2016. ur.
  10. Jami'i . Muhammad Salim . List of Asad Madani's authorized disciples. Al-Jamiat Weekly. April 2007. 4. 11–12. 578. Office of Jamiat Ulama e Hind. Madani Hall, 1–Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. ur.
  11. Book: Qasmi, Muhammadullah Khalili. Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi. Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jami'-o-Mukhtasar Tareekh. Shaikhul Hind Academy. Deoband. 749, 752, 758, 764, 767. October 2020. 3rd. ur.
  12. Qasmi . Muhammad Salim. Rashidi. Sayed Akhlad. Mansoorpuri. Muhammad Salman. Son of Hussain Ahmad Madani. Nida-e-Shahi Monthly. December 1992. 4. 11–12. 508–509. Madrasa Shahi. Moradabad. ur.
  13. Book: Mubarakpuri . Muhammad Arif Jameel . Arif Jameel Mubarakpuri . Mausoo'ah Ulama e Deoband . 2021 . Shaikhul Hind Academy . 1st . Deoband . 31–32 . ar . Encyclopedia of Deobandi scholars . 47-Madani.
  14. News: مہتمم دارالعلوم دیوبند مفتی ابو القاسم نعمانی شیخ الحدیث اور مولانا ارشد مدنی صدر المدرسین منتخب . Abul Qasim Nomani, VC of Deoband appointed as Shaykh al-Hadīth, and Arshad Madani as the Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband. 22 August 2023. AsreHazir. 14 October 2020.
  15. Web site: Meeting of Darul Uloom Deoband's Advisory Committee: Safar 1442 AH (October 2021). darululoom-deoband.com . 22 August 2023. ur.
  16. Amini. Noor Alam. Noor Alam Khalil Amini. فضيلة الشيخ السيد أرشد المدني أستاذ الحديث الشريف بالجامعة يُنْتَخب عضوًا في المجلس التأسيسي لرابطة العالم الإسلامي ويحضر دورته الحادية والأربعين المنعقدة في الفترة 27-28/رجب 1433هـ. Sheikh Sayyid Arshad Madani, Professor of Hadith at the Darul Uloom, was elected as a member of the Founding Council of the Muslim World League and attended its forty-first session held in the period 27–28 Rajab 1433 AH. . Al-Da'i. July–September 2012. 36 . 9–10 . Darul Uloom Deoband. Deoband. ar.
  17. Web site: 2023-07-18 . التقى معالي الأمين العام، رئيس هيئة علماء المسلمين، فضيلة الشيخ د. ⁧محمد العيسى⁩ في العاصمة الهندية نيودلهي، فضيلةَ رئيس جمعية علماء الهند الشيخ أرشد مدني، والوفدَ المرافق له – رابطة العالم الإسلامي . 2024-03-20 . themwl.org . ar.
  18. Web site: Shaikh Syed Arshad Madani . Connect2Dialogue. 2024-03-20 . en-US.
  19. Web site: India . Clarion . 2023-10-15 . Effective Steps Needed to Stop Israel’s Aggression, Says Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind . 2024-03-20 . Clarion India . en-US.
  20. Web site: India . Press Trust of . 2023-10-15 . Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind slams Israeli attacks on Gaza . 2024-03-20 . The Siasat Daily . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2023-07-18 . In New Delhi, His Excellency Sheikh Dr.Mohammad Al-Issa, the Secretary General of the MWL, Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with His Eminence Sheikh Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, and the accompanying delegation. – Muslim World League . 2024-03-20 . themwl.org . en.
  22. Web site: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind & Anr. vs Maulana Mahmood Asad Madni & Anr. on 25 August, 2008 . IndianKanoon . 27 August 2024. 11 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210711061749/https://indiankanoon.org/doc/149461836/ . live .
  23. News: 'جمیعت علماء ہند' کے 100 برس مکمل . Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind completes a century of existence . 27 August 2024 . ETV Urdu . 6 December 2019 . ur . 12 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712141415/https://react.etvbharat.com/urdu/national/state/delhi/100-years-of-jamiat-ulema-hind-completed/na20191206181034458 . live .
  24. News: Jamiat-Ulama-E-Hind splits . 27 August 2024. Hindustan Times . 5 April 2008 . 14 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714122557/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/jamiat-ulama-e-hind-splits/story-IDjhcuJ53UvaREVOqr3wSM.html . live .
  25. News: 9 March 2021 . Arshad Madani elected President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind . dead . http://web.archive.org/web/20230621191643/https://www.therahnuma.com/arshad-madani-elected-president-of-jamiat-ulama-i-hind/ . 21 June 2023 . 27 August 2024. The Rahnuma. en.
  26. News: Maulana Mahmood Madani elected interim chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind . 23 July 2021 . Outlook India . 27 August 2024. en.
  27. News: Pandit . Ambika . Jamiat factions may 'merge soon' . 27 August 2024 . The Times of India . 22 June 2022.
  28. News: Us Salam . Zeya . Proposal green-lighted by Arshad Madani camp; nephew Mahmood's faction to take it up next Friday . 27 August 2024. The Hindu . 16 July 2022.
  29. News: Salam . Ziya Us . 2022-07-16 . Fourteen years after split, Jamiat factions likely to merge . 2024-08-27 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  30. Web site: Partition was a loss for both Hindus and Muslims: Madani . Awaz . 18 August 2022 . en . 18 August 2022.
  31. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-arshad-madni-of-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-says-owaisis-are-traitors-2053243 'Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind says Owaisis are traitors'
  32. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/jamiat-ulema-e-hind-maulana-mahmood-madani-arshad-madani-narendra-modi/1/250896.html Indian TV interview of Maulana Arshad Madani on Headlines Today program
  33. News: Salam . Ziya Us . 2023-02-12 . What Hindus worship as Om, Muslims worship as Allah: Jamiat chief . 2024-08-27 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  34. Web site: Dhar . Aniruddha . 12 February 2023 . Muslim body chief's ‘Om and Allah’ remark sparks row; angry religious leaders leave stage . 27 August 2024 . Hindustan Times . en.
  35. Web site: 2023-02-12 . Jamiat chief Arshad Madani’s remarks on Om, Allah prompt walkout by other religious leaders . 2024-08-27 . The Indian Express . en.
  36. Web site: 2023-02-14 . Row over Arshad Madani’s ‘Om and Allah’ comment: What is Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, and its role in the freedom struggle . 2024-08-27 . The Indian Express . en.
  37. Web site: Dhar . Aniruddha . 13 February 2023 . ‘…In front of my eyes': Top Jain monk over Muslim body chief's ‘Om-Allah’ remark . 27 August 2024 . Hindustan Times . en.
  38. Web site: Chitlangia . Risha . 2023-11-05 . ‘Freedom fighters, not terrorists’ — Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief lauds Hamas for 'courage & bravery' . 2024-05-13 . ThePrint . en-US.
  39. Web site: Srivastava . Piyush . 8 December 2023 . We fought a long court battle for Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and in fact we won it: Maulana Arshad Madani . 27 August 2024 . . en.
  40. Web site: Abhishek . Kumar . 2024-02-02 . Idols brought from outside being worshipped at Gyanvapi: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief . 2024-08-26 . India Today . en.
  41. Web site: 21 December 2023 . Gyanvapi case: Muslim side to approach Supreme Court, says Arshad Madani . 27 August 2024 . . en.
  42. Web site: Chitlangia . Risha . 2023-12-20 . Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind head says will take Gyanvapi matter to SC — 'politics being done to please majority' . 2024-08-26 . ThePrint . en-US.
  43. Web site: 20 December 2023 . उम्मीद थी किसी और मस्जिद का मसला नहीं उठेगा...काशी और मथुरा के मुद्दे पर क्या बोले मौलाना मदनी . It was hoped that the issue of any other mosque would not be raised... What did Maulana Madani say on the issue of Kashi and Mathura . 2024-08-26 . Navbharat Times . hi.
  44. Web site: Fatima . Heena . 2024-08-23 . Naidu, Nitish assured they will oppose Waqf Bill, says AIMPLB chief. 'Nationwide stir if it's passed' . 2024-08-26 . ThePrint . en-US.
  45. News: 3 November 2024 . ‘Consider Muslim sentiments’: Jamiat to TDP, JD(U) on Waqf (Amendment) Bill . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055658/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/consider-muslim-sentiments-jamiat-to-tdp-jd-u-on-waqf-amendment-bill-101730641099393.html . 6 November 2024 . 6 November 2024 . Hindustan Times . en.
  46. Web site: 3 November 2024 . Jamiat cautions TDP, JD(U), says even ‘crutches’ will not escape responsibility if Waqf bill passed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241106060036/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jamiat-maulana-arshad-madanitdp-jdu-waqf-bill-9651860/ . 6 November 2024 . 6 November 2024 . The Indian Express . en.
  47. News: Salam . Ziya Us . 4 November 2024 . Jamiat cautions NDA partners, says ‘crutches’ cannot escape responsibility for Waqf Bill . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241106060318/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jamiat-cautions-nda-partners-says-crutches-cannot-escape-responsibility-for-waqf-bill/article68829502.ece . 6 November 2024 . 6 November 2024 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  48. News: Salam . Ziya Us . 2024-11-13 . Supreme Court verdict on bulldozer demolitions: Jamiat hails verdict, victims seek compensation . 2024-11-15 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  49. Web site: Sharif . Marziya . 2024-11-13 . Jamiat hails SC's 'Bulldozer' judgement, says it reinforces supremacy of law . 2024-11-15 . . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Arshad Madani".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.