Maulana Wahiduddin Khan — An Inspiration

After December 2019, when the novel Coronavirus attacked the world, we have been used to death. Millions of people are dead while millions are suffering from this disease. From 2019 to 2021, we have lost many prominent personalities including Abdul Ghaffar Aziz, Doctor Rif’at, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan etc, who were a ray of hope for all of us.

I do pray for their departed souls. However, these deaths bruised my soul but still I managed to keep going.

Ghaffar Aziz and Doctor Rif’at’s death left me startled and I learnt that if these two people could die, anyone can die. But April 21, 2021, proved to be one of the saddest moments of my life and left me more startled when our beloved Maulana Wahiduddin Khan left this ephemeral world forever.

I was sleeping when this news struck me like the bolt from the blue. I could not believe. I immediately sent a message to my friend, Mr Irshad Ahmad Sheikh from Zainakote, Srinagar, who also is the voracious reader of Khan. He was also perplexed. I think he was taken by emotions and wept for the master, who was with both of us, through thick and thin.

Why was Khan so special for all of us? There are many reasons for this. Here, it is important to clarify that after 1960, Khan had been a controversial figure, since he disagreed with Abul A’la Maududi over the creation of the Islamic State. Moreover, his approach towards personality building was unacceptable for many. There are other things as well but I, as a student of learning, leave it for experts to look into the matter deeply. Here, I would like to discuss why Khan was a model for us.

First is his scholarly knowledge. He was proficient in many domains of learning. Ranging from Science to religious knowledge, he had a deep insight. He could talk over every subject with ease. Frankly speaking, if I know anything about the origin of the Universe, it is Allah and Khan Sahib that have made it possible.

Writing these lines about him, make my soul weep. I cannot keep my fingers steady over the typing board as I am reminded of those days when I used to discuss Khan’s scholarly knowledge over the origin of the Universe in Darasgah.

Second is his quest for perfection in imperfection. He used to keep advising us through his books, speeches, columns, etc that the main aim of life is to find perfection in imperfection. Whenever I find imperfection in any domain of life, I am reminded of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. I remember that the world is imperfect; It is we, who have to try our best to become perfect. Every source and resource has to be utilized to become perfect that is the main reason behind the creation of the Universe.

Utilizing our marvellous brains and beautiful bodies in creative work can help us to become perfect in imperfect world, was what Khan believed in.

Third is to become a true preacher of Islam. He believes that there is no profession of Maulvis in Islam. Every Muslim is a preacher. In this way, I was persuaded to learn every domain of knowledge, particularly Islam in its original form. It is he who made me to invest in creative books.

Instead of wasting money in purchasing those books that have a corrupting influence, I was motivated to buy those books that can prepare ground for preaching of Islam in the best way possible, i.e., without following emotional path.

Fourth and last is his own personality. Two weeks before, when I was at Lal Chowk with my friend, Meraj Ahmad Shah, I was told by a youth that the personality of Khan Sahib is like water. He doesn’t believe in barriers. To put it in other way, he believes in accepting the truth while letting the falsehood to end or let it be accordingly.

He didn’t indulge in futile debates, which deface the image of Islam for nothing. It is this personality of him that motivates us to follow him.

Last but not the least, I remember some words of Khan Sahib as he said: When we see Allah in reality, that day will be the happiest day for all of us. Moreover, he said that the present life is to build yourselves. After death, there is life but there is no chance for development.

Before wrapping up, it is necessary to say that we will continue to read his literature and introspect at every moment. May Allah give you Jannat, Khan Sahib!

The Author has been assisted by Irshad Ahmad Sheikh from Zainakote Srinagar for producing the article.