Embracing Unity: Reflections on a Meeting with Maulana Muhammad

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✍️ By: Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford

🗓️ Yesterday (Sunday, 16th Dhu al-Qa’dah 1439 AH), I had the honor of meeting the renowned preacher, international da’ee, eloquent speaker, and master orator of our time, Maulana Muhammad Tariq Jameel, in the city of Wakefield, England at the time of Dhuhr.

❓ They asked:
Despite many previous opportunities and mutual eagerness from both sides, we were unable to meet. Yesterday, I was teaching a course on the subject of “Tazkiyah Al-Qalb” at Leeds University, organized by my dear friend and supporter, Zayd ul Islam, through Al-Burooj Press.

✅ I responded:
Zayd ul Islam suggested that Maulana was staying nearby and the timing was suitable, so we should meet. I was preoccupied, so I thought a phone conversation would suffice. During this time, I received a message from Maulana’s host that Maulana was calling for me and wished to meet.

At around 2 PM, Zayd ul Islam, two of our companions, and I reached Maulana’s residence in Wakefield. Maulana welcomed us warmly and passionately. We prayed Dhuhr and Asr together in shortened and combined form (according to the ruling of travelers). After having tea, I had to return to my university class, so the meeting was brief. Maulana promised that on his next trip, he would visit Oxford.

Maulana is beyond the need for introductions and praise, but as a gesture of sincerity and admiration, I must say that the tremendous work he is doing in da’wah and tabligh and the way he is reforming every segment of the Ummah under his guidance is unparalleled. He possesses humility, sincerity, asceticism, purity of character, and many other practical virtues.

💎 A unique attribute of Maulana Tariq Jameel:
The quality that has impressed me the most about Maulana is his ability to rise above the narrow confines of sectarianism and bias. He transcends group affiliations and looks at every Muslim with a positive perspective, finding something good in everyone. In my opinion, the greatest proof of Maulana’s piety is his ability to see the good in others. This is why his eloquent speeches have illuminated so many eyes, guided the lost towards the straight path, and brought about numerous positive changes in the hearts and minds of people.

During the meeting, Maulana mentioned the affinity he feels towards me. I responded that the reason for this connection and harmony between us is that, like him, I too abhor sectarianism, bias, and narrow-mindedness, and I yearn for and call for unity and love among Muslims.

The global nature of Islam is such that artificial differences among humans cannot affect its unity. Unfortunately, for ages, we have torn apart this unity, and, tragically, we pride ourselves on this division. While discussing Pakistani politics, I mentioned that although Imran Khan is not an Islamic scholar or intellectual, and his background is in cricket, he is a newcomer to the world of politics compared to others. However, at this moment, his party has gained a majority, and soon he will become the Prime Minister.

Our Islamic scholars and intellectuals have been active in politics for the past 70 years, yet none of them have achieved any significant position in the government. The main reason for this is that the public does not view them as representatives of the nation or the people. Instead, every scholar is seen as being associated with a particular sect or school of thought. Even when scholars agree on an issue, the agreement is temporary and artificial. Soon, their sectarian inclinations overpower them, pulling them back into the quagmire of groupings and sectarianism, trapping them in narrow-mindedness.

🤝 Maulana Tariq Jameel’s vision of unity:
Maulana said, “I call for ‘Ummah Panay’—for Muslims to diminish the importance of their differences and unite as one Ummah.” In the present time, in the Indian subcontinent, the most sincere effort to promote this message of unity was made by the great thinker of Islam, the radiant mind of the Muslim world, and the torchbearer of Islam’s legacy, Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi رحمه الله. He was staunchly against sectarianism and bias, a trait that is also evident in his rightful successor, my respected teacher, Maulana Rabe’ Hasani Nadwi.

In the Tablighi Jamaat, I have seen two elders who deeply cared for the unity of the Ummah. One was Maulana Saeed Ahmed Khan رحمه الله, whom I met in Madinah Munawwarah at Masjid Al-Noor, and later spent a few days with him at Nizamuddin. Maulana did not call for any particular sect or school of thought; rather, his concern was for the entire Muslim Ummah. He was deeply pained by the issues facing the Ummah, and seeing him would make one exclaim: “You are as pure as the Ka’bah in my eyes.”

The second was Maulana Muhammad Umar Palanpuri رحمه الله. I have repeatedly listened to his speeches in Nizamuddin, Bangladesh, Lucknow, and other places. He was deeply sorrowful not just for the Ummah but for all of humanity. This is why his speeches were filled with such emotion and passion.

💡 In conclusion:
After these three great elders, today Maulana Tariq Jameel is the true caller of this Quranic message, whose words are like the Adhan of Bilal, stirring the souls of many. This is why every segment of the Ummah is attached to him, and this attachment continues to grow.

📖 Maulana Tariq Jameel’s love for the Quran:
Another quality of Maulana, which has made me admire him, is his deep love for the Quran. It was through this bond that a few years ago, Maulana called me. We spoke affectionately on the phone, discussing a particular verse. Since then, this conversation continued, with our discussions generally revolving around various verses of the Quran. During one of these conversations, I briefly introduced Maulana to Tafsir Al-Quran by Maulana Hamiduddin Farahi رحمه الله.

In today’s meeting, Maulana asked how the Ummah can be brought closer to the Quran. I gave a brief response, emphasizing that the root cause of the Ummah’s problems is their negligence towards the Book of Allah. People generally do not ponder over the Quran. Maulana asked how one should reflect on the Quran, and I provided a suitable answer, illustrating the depth and profoundness of the Quran’s verses with several examples.

✍️ Maulana’s appreciation of my articles:
One of the reasons for Maulana’s connection with me is my Arabic and Urdu writings, which he often reads. Out of kindness, he occasionally praises them with words of encouragement. During today’s meeting, Maulana also appreciated these writings and encouraged me further. He asked, “How do you manage to write such excellent Arabic while living in England?”

This brief but heartwarming and love-filled meeting with Maulana was short, as fleeting as a blink of an eye, yet it increased the closeness between us. The message of this meeting is simple: Muslims should be called towards the Quran and be saved from being divided into sects and groups. “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:103).

Those who believe in one God should be united in His servitude. Those who accept the Book of Allah as the source of guidance should have one reference point. The Ummah of the final Prophet ﷺ should follow a single model. O Allah, remind us of this forgotten lesson of brotherhood and love, and save us from the curse of division and disunity. Ameen.