A Beautiful Blend of Religious and Contemporary Education: Darul Huda Islamic University
We are all well aware of the fact that in our beloved country, India, numerous universities, colleges, schools, Maktabs, Madrassas, and universities are established, where students are benefiting from various sciences and arts. Somewhere, children are seen completely engrossed in contemporary sciences, while on the other hand, some students are seen only engaged in religious education and the acquisition of Sharia sciences. But if one looks at the educational landscape of the entire India with seriousness and insight, it becomes as clear as daylight that there are very few institutions where religious, spiritual, and contemporary sciences are being presented on the same platform, in a balanced and harmonious manner.
Among the rare and exemplary institutions that fill this gap is a magnificent academic institution established on the land of South India, which is also a bright beacon of knowledge and research, and a strong center for character building, intellectual development, and all-round training. This is the distinguished institution that we all know and recognize as Darul Huda Islamic University. Darul Huda Islamic University is not just an educational institution but a thought-provoking and practical system that, instead of limiting its students to bookish knowledge, builds their entire personality, improves their present, and gives a bright direction to their future. This is the reason why today this institution holds a prominent and distinguished position in the ranks of great universities.
The academic greatness, intellectual depth, and all-round educational services of Darul Huda Islamic University have not only impressed the scholars and intellectuals but have also attracted the attention of writers and poets of taste. Under the influence of this effect, the well-known poet of Huda, Saif Ali Shah Adam, impressed by the glory of Darul Huda, its academic dignity, and its educational mission, expresses his feelings in poetic form as follows:
Talib-e-ilm o hunar ka aasra Darul Huda
Kis qadar hai khoobsurat, khushnuma Darul Huda
Baniyan-e-Jamia ne zindagi qurban ki
Hai hazaron kawishon ka yeh sila Darul Huda
These verses in fact translate the all-encompassing struggle of Darul Huda Islamic University, which consists of knowledge, character, sincerity, and sacrifice, and which today has become a strong support of knowledge and skill for thousands of students.
Under this great intellectual and educational vision, Darul Huda Islamic University (which is located in Hidayah Nagar, Chamad Mallapuram, Kerala) has not limited its academic services to just one campus, but has successfully established several off-campuses and affiliated institutions under its administration throughout India. Alhamdulillah, at present, seven off-campuses are actively performing academic and educational services under Darul Huda Islamic University, including: Darul Huda Andhra Pradesh (Punganur) Off-Campus, Darul Huda Assam Off-Campus, Darul Huda Bengal Off-Campus, Darul Huda Hangal Off-Campus, Darul Huda Madannur Off-Campus, Darul Huda Kashi Patnam Off-Campus, Darul Huda Bhiwandi, Maharashtra Off-Campus, and Quwatul Islam Arabic College, Dongri, Mumbai.
All these institutions are running under the academic, intellectual, and administrative system of the main Darul Huda Islamic University and are active for the same purpose, that is, to deliver contemporary sciences and religious sciences to the students on the same platform, at the same time, in a balanced and harmonious manner. By the grace of Allah Almighty, thousands of students are studying in all these off-campuses, where along with sociology, social science, science and technology, IT, political science, biology, mathematics, and other contemporary subjects, regular education of Quran, Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, Literature, Sufism, and other Islamic sciences is being imparted. The purpose of this comprehensive curriculum is that the students' minds, thoughts, and consciousness can understand the requirements of the present era, realize the challenges of the current situation, and answer the intellectual and ideological objections raised against Islam with knowledge, wisdom, and reason.
It is also worth mentioning here that Darul Huda Islamic University and its affiliated institutions are not only strengthening their students in terms of religious and worldly affairs, but are also giving them the awareness to struggle for their rights, freedom, and justice while remaining within the constitution of India and the legal framework. This is the reason why these institutions are performing the duty of spreading and promoting the religion of Islam in a very good way.
Unfortunately, objections based on sectarian prejudice against Darul Huda Islamic University also come to the fore from some circles, especially from a few institutions in North India and the people associated with them, which are neither in accordance with academic standards nor worthy of religious dignity. The fact is that the majority in North India follows Hanafi jurisprudence, while Shafi'i jurisprudence prevails in South India. This difference is of jurisprudential details, not of beliefs. In beliefs, all schools of thought of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah are in agreement; whether it is Imam Abu Mansur Maturidi or Imam Abu al-Hasan Ash'ari, both are righteous, authentic, and great Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah, and following the four Imams has always been accepted in the Ummah. If the roots of the Maslak-e-Ala Hazrat were not in South India, then the shrines of elders like Hazrat Ahmed Koya Shaliati, their relations, and the famous Salam of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil Barelvi, "Mustafa Jaan-e-Rahmat Pe Lakhon Salam" would not be recited here with devotion even today. The difference is only of a few minor issues, on the basis of which promoting hatred, violence, or blind opposition is neither the requirement of religion nor the interest of the Ummah.
Alhamdulillah, Darul Huda Islamic University is running approximately 32 to 33 affiliated institutions in Kerala, in which more than 35 to 36 thousand students are studying. If the main campus, affiliated institutions, and eight off-campuses are combined, then a total of around 45 to 50 thousand students are benefiting from this great educational network. Undoubtedly, Darul Huda Islamic University is a distinguished academic and educational platform of the present era where students are understanding both religion and the world and are moving forward with both. This balance, this breadth of vision, and this intellectual harmony are highlighting the truthfulness of Islam today. Therefore, instead of opposing such institutions, they should be encouraged, cooperated with, and supported, because these institutions are building the faith, character, and future of the coming generations.
Finally, there is a sincere message and serious advice for all those who object to such institutions on the basis of ignorance, ignorant prejudice, blind imitation, and intellectual violence, which are carrying both religion and the world together. It should be well understood that Islam does not allow us to issue decisions on hearsay, spread hatred, and fuel sectarianism, but commands us to speak with research, justice, good faith, and wisdom. Institutions where Quran and Hadith, Fiqh and Aqeedah are taught along with contemporary sciences, where young people are given the awareness to protect their religion and serve the Ummah while remaining within the constitution and law, looking at such institutions with suspicion is actually tantamount to weakening the future of the Ummah.
This fact should also be kept in mind that jurisprudential difference is not a new thing, nor is this difference a cause of division in religion, but the difference of the four Imams has been a source of expansion and ease for the Ummah. Hanafi and Shafi'i, Maturidi and Ash'ari, all these are recognized and agreed upon schools of thought of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah, following one of them does not negate the other. It is a matter of regret that a few people raise questions about the intention, sect, and services of such institutions on the basis of these minor differences, which are sincerely engaged in the academic and Da'wah service of Islam.
It should also not be forgotten that if today the religious consciousness, love of the Prophet ﷺ, and the fragrance of the Maslak of Ahl al-Sunnah are spread in South India, then the centuries of hard work, the sacrifices of the Awliya Karam, and the teachings of the Akabirin of Ahl al-Sunnah are at work behind it. If the thought and love of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil Barelvi were not here, then his successors, his relations, his Kalam, and his message would not have been so alive and effective in this region even today. Therefore, rejecting an entire educational system merely on the basis of geographical or jurisprudential difference is neither academic honesty nor religious justice.
The challenges that Islam is facing today cannot be met with slogans, fatwas, and accusations, but with knowledge, character, and wisdom, and this is what the institutions are doing that are giving the new generation both an understanding of religion and an awareness of the requirements of the world. In such a situation, there is a need to keep the difference within the limits of knowledge, give priority to reform over criticism, and pray for those educational institutions that are engaged in building the faith, consciousness, and future of the youth of the Ummah. It is easy to weaken institutions, but building institutions, managing them, and preparing generations requires sacrifice, sincerity, and continuous hard work, and this is the path by following which the Ummah becomes strong and the service of religion is performed in the true sense. And always remember that:
Har kisi ko Jamia ka sharaf yun milta nahi
Maine kitni rah dhundhi phir mila Darul Huda
Main bahut se mulk mein deeni madaris par ghuma
Sab se achha hai hamara Jamia Darul Huda
✍️ Written by: Muhammad Fida Al-Mustafa Qadri
Contact Number: 9037099731
PG Research Scholar: Darul Huda Islamic University, Kerala