(The English Wife of Moulana ‘Uzair Gul [rahimahullah] – Part One)
“Gini” was an English woman, and related to the royal family of England, who lived during the 20th century. Her husband had migrated with her to India and held a high position in the railway department. She had a son and a daughter and they lived for quite some time in India.
When her husband retired from his job, he returned to England whilst Gini decided to remain behind in India. She took up residence in Manglaur, a place not too far from the famous town of Deoband. Her husband continued providing for her by sending two hundred rupees monthly, which was regarded as a large sum at that time.
She hailed from an academic family, and from a young age, she was very academically inclined as well. In particular, she enjoyed studying comparative religion. Despite her young age, she began doubting Christianity while studying the Bible. At times, these doubts would cause her to become extremely anxious and perplexed. She would thus mention these doubts to her mother in order to clear her mind. However, her mother would threaten and scold her, without offering any proof or explanation to put her at ease. Although this approach kept her silent, it did not change or ease the restlessness in her heart.
As she grew older, she became more convinced that the current day Christianity had, to a great extent, lost its essence and authenticity. She thus made up her mind to leave Christianity and began her search for the true religion. Before studying and accepting Islam, she studied other religions as well. In fact, she had passed many stages in some religions which focused more on meditations and spiritual exercises, etc. However, she was not satisfied with any of them.
Her search for the true religion continued until one day, in order to learn about Islam, she studied the translation of the Quraan Majeed. She was so affected by it that while studying it for the very first time, she became convinced of the reality of Islam and realized that this is the only true religion. She then briefly acquainted herself with the beliefs, ‘ibaadaat, dealings, etc. of Islam. However, she desired to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and she wished to determine whether what she has understood thus far is correct or not. She realized that in order to do so, she will have to refer to well-versed knowledgeable ‘Ulama who may guide her.
Therefore, she consulted a few Muslims of her area who suggested that she go to Deoband. She thus went to Darul ‘Uloom Deoband accompanied by her young daughter. When they arrived, she enquired from someone as to who is the most senior ‘Aalim whom she could ask a few pertinent questions about Islam. It so happened that the person she asked was a disciple of Mia Asghar Husain (rahimahullah). He thus took her to a gathering in which he was present along with many other ‘Ulama. Although he had indicated towards Mia Asghar Husain (rahimahullah), her gaze immediately fell on Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah). Compared to the rest of the ‘Ulama seated in the gathering, his respect and awe settled in her heart to a far greater degree.
She herself explains that the thing which affected her the most regarding Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) was his reaction and conduct when she and her daughter approached them. Since they were not in purdah, when the other ‘Ulama noticed them, they all became anxious; one turned his face away, one placed a sheet on his face and in this manner they all adopted some manner of lowering and turning their gaze away. This was all done out of hayaa (modesty) and in order to fulfil the command of lowering one’s gaze. However, since she had just recently accepted Islam, and was not fully aware of all the injunctions of Deen, she did not understand that they were safeguarding their gaze; rather, she assumed that this approach was as a result of hatred and despise. On the other hand, Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) merely lowered his gaze and very calmly remained seated in his place. In doing so, he also fulfilled this great commandment of Deen but with a different approach.
Hence, they were more inclined to approach Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) and thus went and stood by him. Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah), whose gaze was still lowered, asked them if they had come to accept Islam. She replied, “No. I have already accepted Islam. I have come to test my Islam (i.e. to determine how correct my understanding of Islam is).” She further explained that she had also come with the intention of finding out the explanation of those laws of the Quraan Majeed which require more and detailed explanation.
Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) asked her a few questions related to her beliefs. Hearing her response, Moulana (rahimahullah), out of humility, commented saying, “You are a better Muslim than me.” Thereafter, he made her recite Kalimah Shahaadah after him in Arabic and explained a few laws of Deen. She then asked him, “Will taking bay‘ah (pledging allegiance for self-reformation) at your hands assist (me) in going to Jannah?” Moulana (rahimahullah) laughed and replied, “Perhaps.” She thus requested him to allow her to take bay‘ah. He thus held on to a shawl and she took bay‘ah.
Thereafter, it was time for meals. Hence, Moulana (rahimahullah) told them, “You are both my guests. However, one of the laws of the religion which you have accepted is that it is not permissible to associate with non-mahram women. Due to this, we are unable to have you where we would be sitting.” He further explained, “Do not regard this (act) to be (a sort of) disregard (to you). Rather, it is a commandment of Deen. By accepting it, we will all benefit in our Deen and dunya.”
When she heard this statement from Moulana (rahimahullah), the respect she had for him and her confidence in him grew even more and she immediately understood how perceptive and considerate he is. He did not merely explain the laws of Deen; rather, he did so with wisdom and together with keeping their feelings in mind.
She, however, mentioned that there is no need to be concerned that they will feel upset for not being included in the same seating arrangements. She explained that even if they were not informed regarding this law of Islam, they would have still not felt comfortable to eat together with them, since it was never their habit to eat with others from the same platter. Hence, they sat separately and partook of their meals.
(Al-Furqaan – December 1978, pgs. 37 – 44)
Lessons:
1. When Allah Ta‘ala wishes to guide someone then no matter what type of upbringing a person may have had, where the person may have hailed from or what age a person may have reached, he/she will most definitely be guided in some way or the other. Who would have thought that a woman who hailed from England, grew up in a staunch Christian home, and was of a relatively advanced age, would be guided to Islam and reach Deoband to benefit from the great luminary, Shaikhul Islam, Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah).
2. A very integral and important injunction of the Quraan Majeed is the lowering of one’s gaze, and the prohibition of intermingling and mixing freely with the opposite gender. Together with holding firm to these injunctions, Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) conducted himself in an exemplary manner, and explained the injunction to them with great wisdom and insight. In this manner, not only did he uphold this commandment but also brought her closer to Islam. Hence, we too should never compromise on these laws of Islam, even when we are forced to interact with a non-Muslim, but at the same time, we should do it with respect and wisdom, not with rudeness and abruptness.