On 14 October 2020, the executive council of the seminary appointed Arshad Madani as the principal (sadr-mudarris) and Abul Qasim Nomani as the senior hadith professor (shaykh al-hadith).[1]
The spread of the Deobandi movement in the United Kingdom has produced some criticism concerning their views on interfaith dialogue and values including democracy, secularism, and the rule of law. [citation needed] In September 2007 Andrew Norfolk of The Times published an article titled "Hardline takeover of British mosques" about the influence of the Deobandis whom the author called a "hardline islamic sect".[9]
In February 2008, an anti-terrorism conference organized by the seminary denounced all forms of terrorism.[10]
Program
The school teaches manqulat (revealed Islamic sciences) according to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.[citation needed] In this seminar, Nanawtawi instituted modern methods of learning such as teaching in classrooms, a fixed and carefully selected curriculum, lectures by academics who were leaders in their fields, exam periods, merit prizes, and a publishing press.[citation needed] Students were taught in Urdu, and sometimes in Arabic for theological reasons or Persian, for cultural and literary reasons. The curriculum is based on a highly modified version of the 18th century Indo-Islamic syllabus known as Dars-e-Nizami.[citation needed] The students learn the Quran and
its exegesis; Hadith and its commentary; and juristic rulings with textual and rational proofs. They also study the biography of Muhammad, Arabic grammar, Arabic language and literature, and Persian language.[11]
The syllabus consists of many stages. The five-year Nazirah (primary course) teaches Urdu, Persian, Hindi and English. The next level is the Hifze Quran. This involves the memorization of the Quran over two to four years. A few students will then choose Tajwid e Hafs (melodious recitation). The student is taught the detailed recitation rules of the Quran as laid down by Arabic Hafs. Still fewer will take up the next course, the Sab'ah and 'Asharah Qira'at (study of all the ten Quran recitations).
A post graduate studies equivalent is the Fazilat course taken over eight years. It commences with Arabi Awwal, in which the basics of the Arabic language is the main aim, and finishes with Daura e Hadith, in which the main books of the sayings of Muhammad are taught. A prerequisite for this course is completion of primary education. Memorization of the Quran is also recommended. Students who complete the Fazilat may use the title Alim or Maulvi. The Daurae Hadith (final year) class is taught in the basement of "an under construction seven storied building". In the 2017–2018 academic year (1438–1439 AH), 1664 students attended the Daurae Hadith class.
Almost a quarter of the students who complete the Daurae Hadith continue their studies. These advanced courses include Takmil Ifta (Jurisprudence); Takmil Adab (Arabic literature); and Takhassus fil Hadith (Hadith).[11] Students who complete the Takmil Ifta take the title Mufti.
In 1926 and 1927 (1345 abs 1346 AH), graduates of the school called for Indian independence at Jamiat Ulama meetings in Calcutta and Peshawar. Madani opposed the suggestion of the All-India Muslim League for the partition of India along sectarian lines. He also advocated democratic government with religious freedoms and tolerance.[14][15][16]
A fatwa is “an issue arising about law and religion, explained in answer to questions received about it” by muftis (Islamic jurists).[20] Muftis at Darul Ifta (fatwa department), Darul Uloom Deoband are responsible for giving fatwas.[21]
On 31 May 2008, the seminary issued a significant public “Fatwa against terrorism” after a public rally in Delhi with around 100,000 representatives from nearly 6,000 madrasas across India, including those from different sects. The fatwa was a first of its kind in South Asia and stated that "in Islam, creating social discord or disorder, breach of peace, rioting, bloodsan, pillage or plunder and killing of innocent persons anywhere in the world are all considered most inhuman crimes.”[22][23][24] The edict was signed by Habibur Rahman Khairabadi.[25]
Controversial Fatwas
In January 2012, scholars from a Deobandi school issued a religious decision calling for the author Salman Rushdie to be barred from entering India to attend a literature festival because, in their opinion, he had offended Muslim sentiments.[26][27]
In May 2010, clerics from a Deobandi school issued a fatwa stating that men and women cannot work together in public offices unless the women are properly clothed.[28][29][30]
In September 2013, scholars from a Deobandi school issued a fatwa banning photography as un-Islamic.[31]
In February 2024, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, demanded an FIR against the seminary's alleged promotion of the idea of Ghazwa-e-Hind, claiming that a supporting fatwa was available on their website, in response to a question seeking an answer to "whether Hadith talks about invasion of India or the Ghazwa-e-Hind".[32][33][34]
Entry of women in campus
Darul Uloom Deoband has garnered attention for its stances on women’s rights, including issuing fatwas that restrict certain activities for Muslim women, such as working alongside men, watching football,[35] and plucking their eyebrows without their husband’s permission.[36] Additionally, the seminary faced criticism for its silence on the Taliban’s ban on women’s education, as the Taliban also aligns with the Deobandi ideology.[37][38]
In May 2024, Darul Uloom Deoband imposed a ban on the entry of women and girls to its premises, citing concerns over social media videos filmed on the campus. The seminary's rector Abul Qasim Nomani, stated that this decision responded to public complaints about the circulation of these videos, which were considered distracting and offensive by supporters of the institution. Prior to this, women were already restricted from entering the Rashidia mosque on campus; this restriction was now expanded to the entire seminary.[39]
In November 2024, the seminary lifted the ban on women’s entry with conditions. Women were allowed on campus only if accompanied by a male guardian, wearing purdah, and prohibited from taking photographs.[40] Reports suggested that the original ban negatively impacted nearby businesses, which led to the policy’s revision.[41]
^Masud, Muhammad Khalid; Kéchichian, Joseph A.; Messick, Brinkley; Dallal, Ahmad S.; Hendrickson, Jocelyn (2009). "Fatwā". The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Oxford University Press. ISBN978-0-19-530513-5.
^"About". darulifta-deoband.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
^ abcdefghRizwi, Syed Mehboob (November 1981). "Arbab-e-Ehtemam". History of The Dar al-Ulum Deoband(PDF). Vol. 2. Translated by Prof. Murtaz Husain F. Quraishi (1st ed.). Idara-e-Ehtemam, Dar al-Ulum Deoband. pp. 164–178. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
^Mufti Taqi Usmani (April 2007). "Qari Muhammad Tayyab". Nuqoosh-e-Raftgaan (in Urdu). Karachi: Maktabatul Maarif. pp. 193–194.
^Tayyib, Qari Muhammad (June 1965). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Sad-Sāla Zindagi [Centenary Life of Darul Uloom Deoband] (in Urdu) (1st ed.). Deoband: VC Office, Darul Uloom. pp. 96, 101.
