A Visit from Al-Huda International
Today, a noble and dignified delegation from Al-Huda International Welfare Foundation, under the leadership of its esteemed head Dr Farhat Hashmi, honoured my humble abode with their visit, bestowing upon it a grace and dignity through their presence. It was one of those blessed moments that do not merely bring fleeting joy, but leave a lasting spiritual elation deep within the heart. Dr Farhat Hashmi is a personality who has devoted her life to the daʿwah and dissemination of the Dīn; her gaze penetrates the depths of knowledge and understanding, and through her discourses, hundreds of thousands of women have transformed their lives.
Though outwardly this meeting appeared as a formal introduction, in reality, it became an enlightening spiritual gathering illuminated with sincerity and knowledge. The arrival of this caravan of truth and purity transformed my modest dwelling into an assembly of intellectual and spiritual vibrancy. A state of inner delight and serenity settled over the heart. Every moment of our conversation in the company of these guests of knowledge and religion was rich with guidance and full of insight and reflection.
Dr Farhat Nasim Hashmi—whose name and scholarly contribution require no introduction—was born on 22nd December 1957 and hails from Pakistan. She earned her PhD in Islamic studies from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. A significant chapter of her academic journey is linked to the International Islamic University in Islamabad, where she served as a lecturer and later assistant professor in the Faculty of Usul al-Dīn. In 1994, she founded “Al-Huda International Welfare Foundation,” with the aim of educating women in Qurʾān and Sunnah and helping them become conscious, practising Muslims. Today, this organisation has expanded beyond education into charitable work as well.
In 2004, the foundation launched the Al-Huda Institute in Mississauga, a city near Toronto, Canada, offering structured courses based on the exegesis of Qurʾān and ḥadīth. The influence of this institute is not limited to North America but has extended as far as Australia. Dr Farhat Hashmi’s name is recognised both in Pakistan and abroad as a prominent Islamic scholar. The number of attendees in her lectures has at times reached ten thousand. According to conservative estimates, over fifteen thousand women have received formal certificates and diplomas from her, while hundreds—rather, thousands—benefit informally from her teachings. It is particularly noteworthy that many of her followers are modern, educated women from relatively affluent social and economic backgrounds. This fact itself demonstrates that the thirst for knowledge of the Dīn is not confined to those enrolled in madāris, but also exists in hearts immersed in the allure of modernity.
When the sun was still shining in its full brilliance and the day retained its vibrant light, at precisely 4 p.m., this honourable delegation—filled with the spirit of knowledge, sincerity, and devotion to the religion—arrived at my humble doorstep. The weather was considerably warmer than the previous week; the air carried some heat, and the sun blazed with its customary intensity. Yet, the arrival of these guests turned the heat into a spiritual breeze, as though a gentle wind had passed over a burning desert. The atmosphere, once slightly restless, now transformed into a state of inner calm. The meeting did not remain limited to a formal exchange but opened doors to many discussions on knowledge and thought. We spoke at length about daʿwah, women’s education, strategic approaches to propagation, and the demands of the present age, with sincerity at the core and intellectual depth enriching the discourse.
Dr Farhat Hashmi shared a brief yet impactful overview of her religious and reformative mission. She explained that her goal is not merely to educate but to breathe a new spirit into Islam—a spirit rooted in a correct and deep understanding of the Qurʾān and Sunnah. She emphasised that she does not advocate harshness, coercion, or confrontational methods of daʿwah. Instead, she desires that her students exhibit the beauty of Islam through their actions, influencing others through their upright character and noble conduct.
Members of the delegation posed questions on various juristic issues, including those related to women’s travel, voice, and related matters. In response, I submitted that we must always adopt leniency and broad-mindedness regarding such subsidiary issues. Any action carried out within the bounds of the Sharīʿah, and based on a sound school or opinion, is acceptable. In this complex age, people are embroiled in disputes over matters neither mentioned in the Qurʾān nor questioned on the Day of Judgement. What is needed is to return to foundational principles and adopt a path of tolerance and breadth when dealing with secondary and peripheral matters.
I found great delight in learning that Dr Farhat Hashmi and the honourable women accompanying her were familiar with my writings and had studied them regularly. Hearing some of my thoughts and articles recited in their own words was a moment filled with such pleasure that it felt like a tremendous reward for any writer. The feeling one experiences when their words are not only read but understood is profound, and that moment brought such a sense to my heart.
During the session, the delegation’s attention was drawn to one of my major works, al-Wafāʾ bi-Asmāʾ al-Nisāʾ, a scholarly compendium on the biographies of distinguished Muslim women who played a luminous role throughout Islamic history. The delegation attentively perused several volumes, turning the pages and expressing admiration for its academic rigour, literary style, and systematic arrangement. Dr Farhat Hashmi not only expressed a desire to obtain a complete set of the work, but also inquired about the motivations behind such a monumental effort. She showed particular interest in some of the renowned women featured in the book. Her questions were not superficial; rather, they bore the mark of a researcher’s eye, a mufassirah’s insight, and a murabbiyah’s concern. She was not merely a reader, but a discerning mind capable of perceiving the meanings that lie beyond the words.
During the meeting, some of the other members of the delegation also spoke of my work “The Boy in the Gown”, expressing appreciation for its style, unique subject matter, and emotional resonance. They described it as a distinctive, effective, and literarily rich endeavour.
This blessed and meaningful gathering continued for about two hours. The atmosphere of this sitting was imbued with knowledge, sincerity, love, and contemplative seriousness—a subtle quality that lingers like a fragrance around the soul. When the gathering concluded, neither the heart nor the mind was left empty. There was a sense of peace, an intellectual exhilaration, and spiritual sweetness, much like the lingering scent of sacred knowledge and religion that leaves a lasting impression on heart and mind alike.
Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/6422
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Dr Farhat Hashmi
