Chronology of events over the years

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Jerome Richards
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1 Chronology of events over the years History is the embodiment of events and lives in the memories. Memories capture moments of flavour, design and emotion. Moments that changed lives. Moments that tell tales of progression and recession, joy and grief, glory and gloom, pain and pleasure, all with one goal, to refresh the memories of those who were part and remember and also inform those who don't. One such timeline is the history of an institute which will always nestle in the hearts and minds of those associated with it. Prelude - Following the establishment of Darul Uloom Newcastle and Darul Uloom Azaadville, a spark was ignited at a farm later known as Zakariyya Park Hajee Abu Bakr Bathia Sahib offered 20 acres of land for the establishment of a madrasah under the name Zakariyya. This name was specifically chosen as each of the persons who laid its foundation had a spiritual connection with Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalawi (RA), who was alive at the time. Even though Hazrat Sheikh did not visit the madrasah site personally, he made fervent duas for its success. The suburb Zakariyya Park became a reality many years later and was named after the madrasah. The institute was initially called Jamia Zakariyya. Later it was renamed Madrasah Zakariyya and was finally changed to reflect its true educational purpose for which it was founded, i.e. Darul Uloom Zakariyya (Institute of Higher Islamic Learning). Up to Hazrat Qari Abdul Hameed R.A., of Panoli, India, served as the first principal of the madrasah upto In the first year of operation the madrasah comprised of a small total of 35 students. The lack of facilities meant that some hifz students would have to take lesson under a tree and the rest were catered for in a large house and 2 outbuildings, at the current residence of Hafiz Ibrahim Bhamjee. (No.1) The area where the new office (No.2) is, was built on the foundations of the previous hifz class, Jamaat khana, dormitory, kutub khana (library), the hallway commonly known as Safa and Marwah, ablution block, public phones and office. The absence of a Masjid at the time meant that students would sometimes go to a masjid in Lenasia for Jummah salaah while others who could not, performed Zuhr at the madrasah. 1 / 10

2 1987 Darul Uloom Zakariyya was blessed with the coming of the honourable, Hadrat Mufti Radha-ul-Haq Sahib (daamat barakaatuhu). Prior to the opening of the Ifta Class in 1992, Mufti Sahib was already involved in answering queries brought to him The madrasah was afforded the excellent opportunity of being introduced to the science of qira'at and tajweed with the arrival of Qari Ayyoob Ishaaq Sahib (daamat barakaatuhu) on the 1st of June. Initially there was a single tajweed class next to the Jamaat khana. It then moved to Hafiz Bashir Sahib's old office (No.3), then to the west wing upstairs, where the present tajweed classes are currently, then to the basement, i.e. beneath the present kutub khana, known to the students as Tora Bora (No.4), then behind the hifz classes and is currently back upstairs in the west wing. Up to The Jamaat khana building and Hafiz Bashir's office was used as the students' dormitory. The west wing was constructed this very year. During the 80's, students would get off only once a month on Sundays from Ishraq till Asr. Subsequently it changed to every Sunday. Later this was changed to Fridays and back to Sundays after two years. During the early part of the madrasah history, students enjoyed one and a half day week-end. Hafiz Ibrahim Bhamjee Sahib's house overlooked a swimming pool. Students and Asaatitha had many enjoyable times here. Other recreational activities included volleyball, cricket and soccer which were, also, savoured by ustaads and students respectively. These days were dubbed as the 'Golden Days' whilst others refer to them as 'Khayrul Quroon'. There were, also, physical education classes for students after the daily Yasin recital in the morning. The Madrasah was fortunate enough to have been able to house a few horses for a short while which the students had brought in. However, they were relieved from their fosterage as they proved to be fatally prone to the piercing pangs of the Highveld cold. The structure opposite Hafiz Bashir Sahib's residence (No. 5) was the tuck-shop, kitchen, laundry and mess. The mess was converted into a store-room and the laundry was converted into the computer room which was operational until / 10

3 In the 80's the tuck-shop provided only a few selected items such as sweets, china fruit, potato chips and cold drinks. The students looked forward to the weekends as Bhai Sulieman Navlakhi, who ran the tuck shop, prepared homemade mouth-watering polony and chips and sold them to the students. Even though the meal would reach the students cold, it was still the finest dish students would savour during the weekends. At the time, supper was served before Esha. The land upon which Hazrat Moulana Alauddin s and Moulana Durwesh s houses stand (No.6), previously provided ground to an orchard of plums, peaches and grapes. Initially, students underwent probation (i.e. admission tests) in the form of a three day trial period during which they were tested to determine whether the student was ready to be admitted into the Hifz programme or not. This procedure, however, has been done away with. Currently, only an admission exam is conducted. Anjuman would be held on Saturdays, overseen by Hazrat Moulana Mohamed Dhudat Sahib (daamat barakaatuhu), wherein the madrasah anthem (Aye Jamia Zakariyya) written by Moulana himself, was sung. The other madrassah anthems, "Ye Madrassah hamara" as well as the Arabic anthem "A yaa daaral uloom bithil bilaad" were compiled by Hazrat Mufti Radha-ul-Haq Sahib (daamat barakaatuhu), the first being sung annually at the graduation Jalsa. -With the construction of the west wing, the students' dormitories moved from its previous location to the ground floor of the west wing (No. 7).Classes were on the upper floor Moulana Mueenuddeen Muradabadi (R.A.) arrived as the first Sheikhul Hadith of the Institute Imam of Masjidun-Nabawee, Sheikh Ali bin Abdurrahman Huzaify visited the institute on the 17/08/ /02/1992 on the occasion of the opening of the Masjid. The first sab'ah qira'at completion took place in January of this year. The first 13 ulamaa 3 / 10

4 completed Bukhari Shareef in this institution under the tutorship of Sheikhul Hadith, Moulana Mueenuddeen Muradabadi (R.A.). Before the establishment of the Dora Hadith Class, students had the choice of completing their studies at any institution in the Sub Indo continent. Friday the 14th of February witnessed the opening of the masjid in the presence of many luminaries such as; Sheikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah (RA), who performed the Khatme Bukhari (completion of Bukhari), Sheikh Ali Abdur Rahman AI Huzaifi, who led the Jummah salaah, and Mufti Mahmood Hassan Gangohi Sahib (RA), who stayed on to performe 'I'tikaaf for the entire month of Ramadhaan in that same year. During the early portion of Ramadhaan a relatively small number of people were present but in the last 10 days of Ramadhaan, no less than 500 people sat for 'I'tikaaf; including prominent Ulama like Sheikh Yunus Saharanpuri, Qari Siddeeq Ahmed Bandawi Sahib (RA), a student of Mufti Mahmood sahib, Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri Sahib from Dabhel and the late Haji Bhai Padia (RA). Up to The madrasah from inception provided the option of secular education for students who wished to complete schooling while still studying at the madrasah. Lessons took the form of correspondence studying via Damelin College and teachers from Lenasia, under Ismail Bhai Variava, provided support to school students between 15:00 and 17:00. Classes were held daily upto 1993 and then once a week until The east wing's construction was completed (No.8) The mess hall is also part of this complex and was used on one occasion to house the examinations too. President of Haramain Ash-Sharifain, and the Imam of Masjidul-Haram, Sheikh Muhammed bin Abdullah bin Subayyil (R.A.) visited the madrasah on the 10/08/ /01/1994 and led the Jumah Salaah Teacher Ahmed Moola Sahib started teaching Astronomy, as well as Comparative Religion, but with a two year break in-between. Ismail Bhai Variava also conducted teaching methodology classes Uncle Yunus Nana arrived at the madrasah and took over the tuck shop. Sheikh Abdurahman As-Sudais, Imam of Masjidul-Haram visits on the 16/08/1416. He re-visited the madrasah in A two year Imam Khatib course is provided from which +/- 15 students 4 / 10

5 graduated The present Hifz class was built The masjid courtyard (No.9) was constructed and the exams were held there. As from the second term of 2007 it was held in the hifz class. Hajee Farooq Sahib (R.A.) of Sakkar, Pakistan sat for itikaaf at the Darul Uloom Masjid during the last 10 days of Ramadhaan Eikenhof madrasah was opened. Old Workers Jor held at the Madrasah which was attended by Ml Ibrahim Devla Sahib, Hafiz Patel Sahib and Ml Yunus Puna Sahib.The Imam of Masjidun Nabawi, Sheikh Abdul Bari Thubaiti paid tribute to the madrasah in May Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Akhtar Sahib (D. B.) as well as Qadhi Mujahidullslaam (D.B) visited the madrasah Moulana Yaqoob Gafoor who cooked and taught as well for a long time at the Darul Uloom, passed away. The South African Minister of Defence, Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota visited and addressed the students. Up to Both floors of the west wing building were utilized to accommodate the increasing number of students. However due to the large influx of students, some had to housed in the basement, beneath the kutub khana (No. 4), others in the White House (opposite Mufti Radha-ul-Haq Sahib's house) (No. 10) and some in the basement of the masjid. - The garden, along with the beautiful fountain (No. 11), was completed. - The new dormitories (No. 12) was readied for boarding, built on the 25 acres of recently acquired land. A Renuion Jalsa was held for our graduates at the madrasah on the 17 th of September Students, Ml Ahmed Alauddin, Ikraam Saeedi, Ibrahim Yingwattanagrai of Thailand and Yusuf passed away in a tragic accident on the golden highway the night before the graduation Jalsa Mufti Rafee' Uthmaani Sahib surprised the Madrasah with a visit. Moulana Zul-Fiqaar honoured the Madrasah with yet another of his numerous visits. 5 / 10

6 The new office (No.2) is constructed in Shawwal Moulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri, Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Palanpuri (D. B) blessed the Darul Uloom with his presence. 2008/ ulama graduated. Moulana Abdul Hafeez Makki Sb was the guest of Honour Riyadus Saliheen memorised by some students. Moulana AzizurRahman Sahib sat for Itikaaf at the Darul Uloom Masjid during the last 10 days of Ramadhaan. 2010/1431 Ml Yunus Patel attends the Jalsa for the last time. Hajee Gulaam Hussain Patel (Bajee Patel), a stalwart of the Madrasah passed away on the (C.E.) / (A.H.). Ml Maroof Sb of Sri lanka, a regular guest of the Madrasah also passed away. 2011/1432 Two students had memorised the entire Mishkaat Shareef as well as Bulughul Maraam for the first time. Duz website is launched. Minister Ismail Vadi attended jalsa Sheikh Muhammad Awwaamah D.B. visits South Africa for the first time and is the guest of Honour at our Khatme Bukhari Jalsa. Our first Islamic journal, the Islamic Horizon Magazine is launched. 2013/ Approximately 400 Ulama attended the 2nd Abna-e-Qadeem Jalsa held at the Darul Uloom on the 22 June. 31 Students completed Hifzul Quran, 21 Students the Riwat-e-Hafs and 11 students the Qiraat-e-Saba this year. 65 students graduated as Ulama from 21 countries at the Khatme-Bukhari Jalsa held on the 23 June. The 5th Volume of Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya was published. 28 Ulama went out to spend one year in Jamaat. Sadly an Indonesian student Zainul Nurziky passed away due to illness. 2014/ Alhamdulillah this year 52 students graduated as Ulama, 44 students completed the memorization of the Noble Qur'an,9 students have memorized various books of Hadith, 22 students completed the Riwayat Hafs, 14 students who completed the Qirat Sabah and 1 student who completed the Qirat Asharah. May Almighty Allah accept them all to serve his 6 / 10

7 Deen through out the four corners of the world. The Darul Uloom witnessed the sad demise of one of its pillars Hazrat Moulana Suliamaan Ganchi SB R.A. on the 26 of October May Allah Ta'ala grant Hazrat Moulana Jannatul Firdous and his family & all his associates and beloved students Sabre Jameel. Ameen. The Islamic Museum: By the grace of Allah Ta ala, the Darul Uloom saw the opening of the first ever Islamic Museum of its kind in South Africa in The facility is home to replicas of scores of items cited in the Ahaadith. An interactive model of Masjidun Nabawi (sallallahu alayhi wasalam), another of Madinah Munawwarah in 7 AH as well as a 3D Cross section of the Noble Ka'bah are some of the many displays which are sure to ignite the flames of Seerah in ones heart. 2015/ Alhamdulillah this year 75 students graduated as Ulama from 15 countries and 44 students completed the memorization of the Noble Qur'an. Furthermore, 9 students have memorised various books of Hadith such as Bukhari Shareef, Muslim Shareef, Mishkaat Shareef, Riyadus Saaliheen etc. May Almighty Allah accept them all to serve his Deen throughout the four corners of the world. To listen to the principal Hazrat Moulana Shabier Saloojee Sahib Db report, please click here To listen to the entire podcast of the 25th Graduation Jalsa that took place, please click here. Alhamdulillah 30 students have completed the Riwayah of Imaam Hafs Rahmatullahi Allahi and 15 students completed the Qirate Saba this year. Furthermore 5 students completed the Qirate Ashara in December.To listen to Hazrat Qari Ayyub Sahib Db advices at the graduation Jalsa, please click here To listen to the entire podcast of the Qirat Saba Jalsa that took place, please click here Alhamdulillah the Darul Uloom was honoured to have hosted many spiritual luminaries over the past year viz Mufti Saeed Palanpuri DB, Mufti Ahmed Khanpuri DB, Moulana 7 / 10

8 Mazhar Sahib Db, Sheikh Yunus Min Tunus, Moulana Rahmatullah Kashmiri DB, Moulana Ghulaam Vastanwi Sahib DB, Moulana Yusuf Motala Sahib Db to mention some. 2016/ Alhumdulillāh, Darul Uloom Zakariyya Lenasia, South Africa, hosted their 26th annual Khatme Bukhari & Graduation Jalsa on the last weekend of May 21st 2016 corresponding to the 15th night of Shabaan 1437 A.H. 71 Students graduated this year as Ulama of which 26 were South Africans and the remainder from 23 foreign countries the likes of Tajikistan, Vietnam & Japan. 1st Position in class was taken by Ml. Danial Sharif from UAE, 2nd position by Ml. Hassan from Malawi & 3rd position by Ml. Ismail Huda from Indonesia. To listen to the entire podcast of the 26th Graduation Jalsa that took place, please click here. 37 students completed the the Hifzul Quraan program this year bringing the total huffaz to 1153 till Present. 24 Students completed the Riwaayate Hafs bringing the total to 452, 13 the Qiraat Sabah bringing the total to 225 & 1 student completed the Qiraate Asharah. To listen to the entire podcast of the Qirat Saba Jalsa that took place, please click here More than a 1000 fatawaa were issued this year by the Darul Iftaa. Fatawaa Darul Uloom Zakariyya vol 7 & Badul Amaali have gone into print. A workshop on Shiism co hosted by Darul Ulama Azadville, Darul Uloom Zakariyya & Al-Farouq Institute was held late last year and was attended by over 700 Ulama. 11 students memorized Hadith Kitaabs; out of which 7 were from the graduating Ulama. 3 graduation Ulama memorized the entire Bukhari Shareef, 1 memorized the entire Tirmidhi Shareef, 1 Shamaile Tirmidhi, 1 student memorized all the Ahaadithe Qudsi, 1 Aathare Sunan & 4 students memorized the entire Riyadhus Saaliheen. Some of the above students are from Venda, Chad, Japan, Ruwanda & Indonesia. Graduating Ulama were advised to become a Mueen/helper in the work of Tabligh and not Mukhalif/against this work. Some student jamaats that that came out cash are: 50 students for 4 months jamaat, 34 students for 1 year jamaat & 4 chilla (40days) local jamaats to different places. The Naaib Raees of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Pretoria was present for the Jalsa as a special guest who also helped in tieing the turbans of the graduation Ulama. After wittnessing the Jalsa and the amazing turnout, he offered 3 free fully paid Hajj packages for any 3 elderly South African citizen 60+ who have never performed hajj before from the floor on behalf of the King of Saudi Arabia ( May Allah continue to guide and protect him). Subhanallah! He also rendered a few words of advice. Finally, Dua was made by Moulana Yusuf Tutla Sahib a senior member of the Shura of South Africa. Allah continue to shower His numerous blessing and protect and safeguard this institute. Aameen The Darul Uloom witnessed the sad demise of one of its graduates Moulana Ismail Devla R.A. 8 / 10

9 the son of the esteemed Hazrat Moulana Abdullah Sahib DB in October May Allah Ta'ala grant Moulana Jannatul Firdous and his family & all his associates and beloved Asaatiza Sabre Jameel. Ameen. A special tribute to him was aired on Radio Islam. To listen to the tribute, please click here Distinguished guests who visited the Darul Uloom over the last year included Hazrat Moulana Mumtaazul Haq Sahib, Moulana Saleem Dhorat Sahib, Moulana Salmaan Nadwi Sahib, Mufti Abu Lubaba Sahib, Qari Ihsan Muhsin Qaasimi Sahib, Moulana Ibadullah Sahib, Moulana Yunus Palanpuri Sahib, Moulana Mazhar Sahib, Moulana Ziaul Haq Sahib, Moulana Ahmed Laat Sahib, etc 2017/ Alhumdulillāh, the Darul Uloom hosted their 27th annual Khatme Bukhari, Khatme Qiraat Sab'ah & Graduation Jalsa as well as an Abna-e-Qadeem Program last weekend. A total of 58 students qualified this year as Ulama from 29 countries bringing the number of graduates to a total of students completed the the Hifzul Qur aan program this year bringing the total huffaz that have completed to 1190 till present. 22 students completed the Riwaayate Hafs bringing the total to 476, 10 the Qiraate Sab'ah bringing the total to 235 and 2 graduated from the Darul Iftaa as Muftis. Furthermore, 7 students had memorised various books of Hadith such as Muatta Imaam Maalik, Mishkaat Shareef, Alfiyya, Riyathus Saaliheen, Bulooqhul Maraam etc. May Almighty Allah accept them to serve His Deen throughout the four corners of the world. Aameen. Podcasts of the Jalsas can be found here Khatme Bukhari Shareef Jalsah / This year 47 students graduated as Ulama from 18 countries and 29 students completed the memorization of the Noble Qur'an. Furthermore, 5 students had memorised various books of Hadith such as Bukhari Shareef, Muslim Shareef, Riyadus Saaliheen & Bulughul Maraam. 5 Students had completed Iftaa. May Almighty Allah accept them all to serve his Deen throughout the four corners of the world Fataawa were issued from our Darul Iftaa. 9 / 10

10 The 8th Volume of Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya has gone to print. Al Durratul Fardah an Urdu commentary of Qasidah Burdah & Badrul Layaali an Urdu Sharah of Badul Amaali have both been printed this year. 19 Ulama are going out for 1 year in Jamaat, 10 Ulama for 4 months and others for lesser time. One final year student Moulana Saahil Patel R.A. had become Shaheed a month before his graduation. May Allah Ta'ala accept his Shahadah and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. To listen to the entire podcast of the 28th Graduation Jalsa that took place, please click here Alhamdulillah 25 students have completed the Riwayah of Imaam Hafs Rahmatullahi Allahi, 10 students completed the Qira'aate Sab'ah and 1 student completed the Qira'aat Asharah this year. To listen to the entire podcast of the Qirat Saba Jalsa that took place, please click here This institute is and has been a memorable experience for those who are and were here, respectively and is definitely set to provide an unforgettable experience for those yet to accept its ever welcoming embrace. STATISTICS The madrassah currently caters for pproximately 750 students, 313 national and the rest from 59 different international countries. Eikenhof houses 120 students. Over the years the steadily growing madrasah has produced 1065 huffaaz, 857 Ulamaa, 403 riwaayat-e-hafs, 196 sab'ah qira'at graduates & 60 Qira at Asharah graduates. 10 / 10

DARUL IFTAA MAHMUDIYYAH REPORT 2015/1436

DARUL IFTAA MAHMUDIYYAH REPORT 2015/1436 WWW.DARULIFTAA.NET 1 The Darul Iftaa Report 2015/1436 Alhamdulillah, it is with the Fadhl and grace of Allah Ta ala that the Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah is having its