In Darul Uloom Deoband, lessons are closed on the 15th of Rajab al-Murajjab, unless a teacher has some syllabus remaining, but here in Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur, the series of lessons continues until the 25th of Rajab al-Murajjab. After that, there is a regular 12/13 day holiday for exam preparation. The meaning of the holiday is that there is no regular lesson from any teacher, nor is there adherence to the schedule of hours, but attendance in the madrassa is also necessary, for which the administration has issued a regular announcement that there may be official attendance at any time during these days, and students who are absent during these days will not be eligible to participate in the annual examinations.
These days prove to be a mountain of burden for all the students of Islamic madrassas, because after them someone's grade changes, classmates fall behind, some teachers become distant, classrooms become memories, madrassas change, some graduate from the formal educational life of the madrassa, some lose their grip on this academic journey, etc. etc.
In the words of Bashir Badr:
This is a tree, come, let's meet and cry with it
From here, your and my paths diverge
This writer has faced these days of sorrow and grief before. In Sha'ban al-Muazzam 1443 AH, corresponding to March 2022, the separation from the famous and popular institution of Mewat, Jamia Madan-ul-Uloom Jhamrawat (Mewat), although voluntary, made me cry a lot with tears of separation and faced sorrows. The reason for choosing the voluntary was the dream of a big destination, which was fulfilled by the grace of Allah, otherwise the memories associated with this ancient alma mater, the kindness and love of the teachers here, the sincerity of the mentors and reformers here, the affection and intimacy in the teaching here, the simplicity and supplication in the management here, the subtle fragrance and strange attraction in the doors and walls here, could never separate me from it.
Then after that, by the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty, I was blessed with the opportunity to benefit from the great religious seminary of Asia, Madar-e-Ilmi Darul Uloom Deoband, for three years. While living in Darul Uloom Deoband, I never felt that I was in another place. That is why I never thought that I would have to leave Darul Uloom and go somewhere else. I spent the months and years laughing and playing, but separation was inevitable anyway, it also had a fixed time. Whether I wanted it or not, those days of Rajab and Sha'ban of 1446 AH also arrived, when the thoughts of separation from Darul Uloom began to dominate the mind. The hours of separation began to hover over my head. I made unsuccessful attempts to connect the states of my heart in prose and poetry. I tried to console my heart by writing many farewell songs. I created imaginary images of bringing the burden of separation to the lines of paper and the mobile screen through articles.
These days, once again, it is the last days of Rajab of 1447 AH. All those old feelings are refreshing my heart and mind. The hours of separation and parting are eagerly awaiting to come. The series of lessons has ended on 25th Rajab al-Murajjab, Thursday. The possibilities of daily classroom visits and meetings with teachers now seem less likely. Sitting together and studying with friends for hours and hours may never come back again. On 25th Rajab al-Murajjab, Thursday, in the fourth period, Ustaz al-Faraiz Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Ali Hasan Mazahiri Nahtauri Hafizahullah Ta'ala came to the classroom to teach the last lesson of Al-Ashbah wal-Nazair. Hazrat Mufti Sahib's condition also seemed adorned with the sorrow of separation. There was a strange kind of smile on his face, but words that dazzled hearts and brought tears to the eyes were coming out of his mouth. As soon as he sat on the pulpit, he started reciting this poem:
Consider it a blessing to sit together
The hour of separation is standing over your head
The lesson ended, after the lesson he took out the attendance sheet, but the method of attendance that day was also contrary to expectations. He asked if everyone was present? When he got an affirmative answer, he marked everyone's attendance without calling out their names. After that, my fellow student, Maulvi Muhammad Asjad Dhanbadi, recited the farewell song written by this writer in his enchanting voice to the ears of the friends, which everyone enjoyed very much. After that, Hazrat Mufti Sahib gave some advice, made a brief prayer and said goodbye to us saying that those students who are staying here today should come home after Maghrib prayer.
Therefore, after the Maghrib prayer, except for a few friends who had gone home, most of the students were present with Hazrat Mufti Sahib. Mufti Sahib served a delicious breakfast, and then showed some rare and scholarly memorable impressions of his student days to us disciples. Also, Hazrat Mufti Sahib also gifted the map of Khulasat al-Faraiz compiled by him to all the students. During this time, I presented the farewell song that was presented at the end of the lesson in the morning to Hazrat Mufti Sahib in a frame. While sitting with Hazrat Mufti Sahib, it was felt that Mufti Sahib was also very sad and depressed today. Today, it was as if he had taken out his liver and placed it for his unworthy disciples (us students). Every word that was coming out of his mouth had a strange kind of fragrance and tearful amazement hidden in it. Every word was as if it was hitting the heart. All the conversation was a true example of "az dil khaizad bar dil reezad" (what comes from the heart reaches the heart). Finally, this gathering full of love and affection between teacher and students also came to an end and we left Mufti Sahib with tearful eyes after this long scholarly and discussion meeting of about one and three quarter hours.
In need of prayer: Abdullah Yusuf
End of Rajab al-Murajjab/1447 AH
Mid-January 2026 AD.