Request or Order?

Alhumdulillah, the religion of Islam has outlined a complete way of life whilst balancing the rights given to each individual.

These rights are distributed and balanced to create harmony between various people, whether it be family members, colleagues, friends, teachers, students etc.

On this point my respected Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib, mentioned one of his rights as a father over his children. He mentioned that when he would want his son, my Ustadh, Maulana Imran Sahib, to return home at a certain time or to complete a certain task then he would never command by saying 'do this' as this would be within his rights and require his son to abide; and failing to do so would make him sinful.

Instead he would request through words such as 'can you...' which, whilst not exercising his rights, conveys the message of what he wants.

Alhumdulillah, through informing us of his personal practice, Hadhrat has shown as that the rights in Islam are their as a guidance to ensure that the needs of individuals are not violated and that each person is aware of their rights and responsibilities. However, many a times it is more beneficial to forego your rights to display your love and affection to those you love and also saving them from an obligation which could have lead to the individual becoming sinful.

Alhumdulillah, if we consider our rights in this manner then it will create an atmosphere of love and affection with those close to us. At the same time each person will learn to do things for another not because they 'have to' bit rather because they 'want to'

May Allah give us all the understanding to create an atmosphere of loge and affection within our homes and lives. Aameen.

Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari

Mufti Muhammad Sahib is my teacher in Zaadut Taalibeen, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hidaayah, and Sharh Manzoomatul Bayqooniyyah. He is a scholar of great calibre and of a sensitive nature. He explained the lessons of Fiqh in great detail ensuring that each ruling was understood and various incidents occurring in today's society which were related to the ruling. His nature in class was unique; an understanding, relaxed and open teacher who enjoyed discussions and questions, especially those that indicated that the student was bright, alert and keen to learn. His sensitive nature challenged the individual to draw a line between being open and relaxed and being respectful; a skill and manner which is essential for a student of knowledge.

He is the youngest son of my Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib and has a great zeal for knowledge which has taken him to travel many countries for the sake of acquiring knowledge, these include Syria, and Pakistan.

He dedicates his time towards the work of Deen through various means; he teaches at the Darul Uloom, gives various speeches across the United Kingdom as well as abroad and allocates a great portion of his time into the service of people through the Darul Iftaa.

Alhumdulillah, being in close contact with him allows me increase my knowledge through his extensive reading and experience from the Darul Iftaa and various other sources. I feel indebted towards him, as I do towards all my other teachers, for being a part of my life and shaping my charachter and contributing towards the present me.

May Allah bless him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May he increase him in knowledge and in all aspects. I pray to Allah that I can continue to benefit from the knowledge of Mufti Muhammad Sahib for as long as Allah has granted me life. Aameen.

Further Biography.

Maulana Salim Bhana Sahib

My teacher in many areas, mostly in Arabic language and grammar (Nahw & Sarf), is one that I will always thirst to spend more time with and regret not making the moments I spent with him more rewarding.

Maulana Salim Sahib is a teacher that influenced me in many ways, something I realised after graduating. His approach, manner, attitude and unbiased love were characteristics that made him stand out from the crowd. However, he was mostly known to be short tempered, becoming extremely angry and also being very strict, especially in examinations.

One of the many things I recall about Maulana Salim Sahib is that, as opposed to many teachers, he would mark really strictly and would set extremely hard exams.

As a student, this was something I didn't look forward to and did not appreciate either. It seemed as though our characters were totally opposite and at many times this created a barrier between us.

However, there was great evidence from his teaching and his attention that he held great concern, love and care for his students, especially me.

Through my Madrassah life his lessons were a form of great discipline for me as doing something out of turn would result in displeasing him and angering him.

I never realised his contribution in my life; the way he cared and had a concern; the manner in which he silently contributed to my life and the way I thought.

Even now, many a times, I miss seeing him around, due to having moved away from Leicester; and at times where I feel down and disheartened I always look towards him, his teachings and his the way he touched my life - something that I will treasure eternally.

May Allah increase him in his piety and decrease him in all the problems of this world and the hereafter. Aameen

Maulana Ahmad Ali ibn Adam Sahib

Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib is my teacher in both Tarjumatul Qur'an, Mishkat, Hidaayah as well as Sunan Tirmidhi. His strict nature and soft and loving heart have always been a great form of guidance in many ways.

He is the eldest son of my Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib. He was originally based in Canada where he used to run a Darul Uloom. However, he later on moved to the UK and has been a great blessing to all of his students and the Darul Uloom as a whole.

His nature is unique and is a source of teaching one manners and etiquettes, which are ever so necessary for every scholar. His loving nature only increases one's love for him but his delicate nature always left me alert and aware of his feelings and also of exercising the best of manners.

His knowledge is an ocean and his methods of teaching and delivering speeches are excellent. I have learnt many a things from him and I pray that I remain in his company for eternity to learn further from him.

May Allah bless him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May he increase him in knowledge and all aspects. Aameen.

Maulana Imran ibn Adam Sahib

Maulana Imran Sahib is my teacher in many subjects. He has taught me subjects which relate to the Alim course as well as subjects which relate to wordly affairs as well as general Islamic knowledge that was relevant in the outside world. His wisdom and knowledge gave me a firm understanding of practical knowledge as opposed to theoretical knowledge obtained from books.

He is the son of my Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib and has many of the qualities of his respected father. His dedication and enthusiasm was the means of the commencement of the Alim course. He dedicated his entire time to teaching in the initial years of Alim course and was the only teacher at the time. Therefore, he has taught me the majority of the first year and second year syllabus of the Alim course. He has also taught me Tarjumatul Qur'an, Riyadhus Saliheen and Sunan Nasaai.

He overlooks and the smooth running and administration of the Darul Uloom as well as the Maktab and plays an active part in many other projects. His talks are held in the Masjid on a weekly basis from which some are quoted and referred to on the 'my respected teacher' blog.

After my Shaykh, who enrolled me into Madrassah after leaving, I am most indebted to my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib. From the moment I enrolled in Alim class he has supported me and advised me throughout the course. His merciful and loving nature was the reason that I was able to complete the course and his attention and moral support prevented me from leaving many a times.

From the moment I enrolled in the course till date, he has been my guide in all aspects of life and my library of knowledge. His piety and humbleness only elevate him in my eyes and he sees everyone as an equal.

His company has taught me many lessons and his friendly nature has drawn me closer to him day by day. He is my teacher who has stood by me and aided me all that I have chosen to do. His care and love opened doors for me that I could have never achieved and through his blessings and supervision I was given opportunities to lead prayers as well as give talks and lectures in places I could not imagine.

In brief, all I am today is due to his dedication, watchfulness, concern and wonderful nature.

May Allah bless him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May he increase him in knowledge and all aspects. I pray to Allah that he keeps me under the guidance of my respected teacher for eternity and that his shadow and blessings remain over me for eternal. Aameen.

Maulana Anwar Narma Sahib

My teacher for Qur'an Tafseer was Maulana Anwar Narma Sahib. He taught be Jalaalayn and also Sunan Ibn Majah in my final years of the 'Alim course.

There is not much that can be written in his biography as he is a down to earth and humble person and a hidden pearl. His knowledge is vast and his piety even greater. A scholar that is easily approachable and very warm and welcoming.

He also teaches at another Darul Uloom and has, over the years, given me insight to many current issues as well as advices that have helped me after graduating from the 'Alim course.

His episodes and incidents have always inspired us as well as taught us lessons in life and in Islam. He is a scholar who is contact and in the company of the great Ulamaa and saints of today.

His lessons have always been inspiring and his teaching methods have left me with knowledge that is not only available in my books but instilled within our hearts.

May Allah elevate his rank and grant him peace and tranquillity in both the worlds. May his guidance and shadow be a part of my life forever. Aameen.

Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib

My greatest teacher is non other than my respected Shaykh, Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Adam ibn Yusuf حفظه الله.

As the principal of Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an, Maktab and Darul Uloom section, Hadhrat has always been a father like figure watching over the progress of students as well as keeping their well-being in mind.

He has taught me a number of subjects throughout the course which include parts of Zadut Talibeen, Tarjumatul Qur'an, Mishkatul Masabeeh and the complete Sahih al-Bukhari.

His overlooking has always been a source of encouragement and his kind and heartfelt words have always guided as well as spiritually revived me.

It is through his individual attention and company that I have learnt many lessons relating to both my Islamic studies as well as Islam in general.

Short Biography

Shaykh Mawlana Adam is a well known figure throughout the world and is regarded as a grand scholar of the United Kingdom. Amongst his many achievements are the institutes of Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an, Jame'ah Girls Academy, Khanqah Imam Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله. Additionally, he is also the founder of Leicester Islamic Academy (Muslim Girls High School) which was initiated in 1981.

Shaykh Mawalana Adam was born in Manekpore, Western India, in the year 1937 and currently resides in the United Kingdom with his family. In total, he has five children, all of whom are scholars in Islam and dedicated in the Khidmah of Deen. From amongst my teachers are his blessed sons; Maulana Ahmad Ali, Maulana Imran and Mufti Muhammad.

He was admitted at the Islamic University, Jame'ah Islamiyyah in Dabhel, where he completed his initial Islamic education and then completed his memorisation of the Holy Qur'an at an astounding age of nine. He then studied the initial sciences of the Arabic language and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.

Thereafter, he was enrolled at Darul Uloom, Deoband, the renowned Islamic university of India to study Islamic subjects specialising in the field of Hadith, Tafseer, Fiqh and various interrelated sciences, including the further branches of Shari'ah by various great Shuyookh. At the age of twenty-two, he completed his scholarship and graduated as an 'Alim (Islamic scholar), possessing doctorates in the various principles and teachings of Islam.

Subsequently, he taught many Islamic sciences for five years at the Jame'ah Islamiyyah in Dabhel. Later on, he moved to Malawi (Central Africa) where he resided for seven years and opened an Islamic institution, benefiting many individuals.

He then repositioned to Leicester, England in the November of 1975. He was at first an Imam of Masjid al-Noor and later on by help and grace of the Almighty Allah he purchased the Jame' Masjid and established the Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an, which began with a single Hifzul Qur'an class consisting of only twelve students and at present accommodates 1300 students.

On the other hand he is one of the leading Shuyukh of Tasawwuf in the present era. He was granted Ijazah (authorization) in the Chistiyya Tariqah (spiritual path). His spiritual chain traces back through a series of authentic teachers all the way to the Prophet Muhammad صلي الله عليه و سلم.

At present, he is still the Imam of Jame Masjid, Leicester (where he has been Imam for 30 years), and teaches Sahih al-Bukhari at Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an. He also gives Dars (lectures) on Thursday and Sunday evenings and holds a Dhikr Majlis everyday after Fajr Salaah at the Khanqah.

Full biography