Glowing Tributes Paid to Professor Badruddin Al-Hafiz
A Fazil of Darul Uloom Deoband, Badruddin Al-Hafiz (b. 1935) studied at Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University and University of Delhi, and joined JMI as a school teacher before becoming a lecturer. Read More
New Delhi: A loving teacher, trusted friend and useful guide with an unwavering commitment to academic honesty, Professor Dr Badurddin Al-Hafiz would be remembered for long by those who met and interacted with him from his formative years as a student to the day he passed away just a few hours after teaching the last batch of students at his home next to a mosque in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi.
These views were expressed by participants during a meeting convened by the Old Boys’ Association of Darul Uloom Deoband at Tasmia Hall on Saturday 10 February, 2024.
During my interactions with him spanning over six decades beginning with my school days at Jamia, “I never saw him getting into a conflict with anyone,” said Prof Shafiq Ahmad Khan, former Head of the Department of Arabic, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI).
In many ways, he was like Maulana Abdus Salam Nadwi (d. 1956). When the Jamia Community used to offer namaz at the Mohammad Ali Hall during the 1960s, they needed an imam for which all eyes felt on young Maulana Badruddin, then a Pre-University student at JMI, to lead the prayer, due to his integrity.
Dr Syed Farooq Ahmed, President of The Himalaya Drug Company, mentioned about his long association with Prof Badruddin Al-Hafiz stating that he would never discuss family or politics. Despite being a prominent ‘aalim, he did not issue religious rulings. He never sought help for himself or for others.
“He was a man of principles and valued relationships without compromising on his ideals,” said Dr Farooq.
The late Professor’s son Yousuf Saeed said:
“My father had a passion for singing since childhood. It was probably this quality that made him write poems.”
It should be noted here that Dr Badruddin wrote nazms for children which were published under title “Madrasa Ibtidayi ki Nazmein” or Poems for Students of Elementary School.
Another of his personality trait was his creativity, said Saeed, adding that it was due to his creative thinking that he would pick up stories and articles from day-to-day affairs.
Maulana Ataur Rahman Qasmi, Chairman of Shah Waliullah Institute, Delhi narrated one of his personal experiences about the academic integrity of Prof Badruddin.
"When I approached him with a request to write his impressions about Shah Waliullah Dehlawi to be included in an important publication, Prof Badruddin declined to write his impressions reasoning that impressions should be written by contemporaries who have seen the person, whereas he had neither met nor seen the 18th century eminent scholar."
Maulana Mohammad Rafiq Qasmi, a colleague of Prof Badruddin paid a moving tribute describing him as “a man committed to his ideals, punctual and never compromising on his religious identity.”
Maulana Abdul Sattar Salam Qasmi remembered him as a person who helped students and the needy.
Maulana Muhammad Muzzammil-ul-Haq Al-Husaini, acting general secretary of the Old Boys’ Association spoke about the long association and deep connection of Prof Badruddin Al-Hafiz with Ma’had Al-Takhassus Fi-Al-Lugha Al-Arabia, a Delhi-based institute of Arabic language and literature.
Masoom Moradabadi, who regularly published his articles in Khabardaar Jadeed, said that Dr Badruddin Al-Hafiz had the courage and honesty to criticize him in one of his articles which he had sent him for publication. It was published as sent, said the senior journalist.
The programme’s convener Maulana Mohammad Shamim Qasmi gave introductory remarks following recitation of the Qur’an.
Maulana Masood Akhtar, who remained the late Professor’s assistant till he breathed his last, recited a poem in a moving voice.
Maulana Tausif Ahmad Qasmi, who had attended the last class of Prof Badruddin on Tuesday 2 January, 2024, the day he died, paid a glowing tribute to his teacher.
Yaseen Patel Falahi recalled Professor Badruddin as a humble man who had a deep connection with masjid.
Dr Abdul Qadir Khan Qasmi coordinated the programme which among others was attended by Prof. Noman Khan, Mufti Afroz Alam Qasmi, Maulana Naushad Alam Qasmi, and Sadia Fatima Al-Wahidi, daughter-in-law of Prof Badruddin Al-Hafiz.
A Fazil of Darul Uloom Deoband, Badruddin Al-Hafiz (b. 1935) studied at Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University and University of Delhi, and joined JMI as a school teacher before becoming a lecturer.
Later, he joined the Banaras Hindu University and served there as Professor and Head of the Department of Arabic. Post retirement, he remained active as a teacher and writer, and was director of Ma’had Al-Takhassus Fi-Al-Lugha Al-Arabia, and former executive member of the Old Boys’ Association.
The areas of his chief academic interest were Islamiyat and Arabic language and literature on which he authored as well as translated about two dozen books. Dr Badruddin Al-Hafiz received the Presidential Award in 1996 for his services to Arabic language.
(The writer, Manzar Imam, is a Delhi-based journalist and director of MJ Achievers Academy)
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