The Legacy of Qari Siddiq Ahmad Bandawi: A Story of Ded

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
A Story from the Life of the God-Fearing Scholar, Qari Siddiq Ahmad Bandawi (May Allah Have Mercy Upon Him)

By: Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi – Oxford

The esteemed and pious scholar, Qari Siddiq Ahmad bin Sayyid Ahmad Bandawi, passed away on the 23rd of Rabi’ al-Thani, 1418 AH. He was among the righteous of his time, graduating from Mazhahir al-Uloom in Saharanpur in 1363 AH. He founded several schools and kuttab (Qur’an learning centers) and shared a remarkable friendship with our revered teacher, Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on them both).

I had the honor of meeting him at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, where he was a member of its Advisory Council. I also read his Urdu book on Adab al-Muta’allimeen (Etiquettes of Students). Additionally, our esteemed teacher, the distinguished scholar and hadith expert, Muhammad Zakariyya Sambhali Nadwi (may Allah preserve him), was among those closest to Qari Siddiq Ahmad.

Shaykh Zakariyya wrote a moving and concise biography of him in Urdu, which I have read multiple times. Below is the Arabic translation of one such story from that account.

A Story Narrated by Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Sambhali Nadwi

Shaykh Zakariyya writes:

“During my second year of teaching at the school founded by Qari Siddiq Ahmad Bandawi (may Allah have mercy upon him), I suffered from severe pain in one of my legs due to an injury. The pain was intense and unrelenting. Despite my best efforts, I could not find relief. I consulted several doctors in Lucknow while traveling back and forth between the city and my hometown, Sambhal. This back-and-forth lasted for an entire month.

When I finally decided to return from Sambhal to Bandah, my elder brother, Shaykh Zahir Alam, advised me: ‘You have been absent from the school for a full month. Take whatever funds you need for your expenses from home and do not claim your salary for this month from the school.’ Taking his advice, I collected enough money to cover my needs for the following month.

On my way to Bandah, I stopped in Lucknow and spent the night at my uncle, Shaykh Muhammad Manzoor Nomani’s residence. He reiterated my brother’s advice and gave me 50 rupees. I informed him that I had already taken sufficient funds from home to cover my expenses.

When I arrived at the school, I resolved not to take my salary for the past month. The school’s practice was to distribute teachers’ salaries on the first day of each month. Qari Siddiq Ahmad would summon the teachers to his room and hand them their wages personally. If any teacher could not meet him, he would deliver the payment to them in the mosque or wherever he found them.

After my return, Qari Siddiq Ahmad sent for me three times to collect my salary. However, I deliberately avoided him. Eventually, he confronted me after Dhuhr prayer in the mosque and said, ‘I have sent for you three times, but you have refused to come to me.’

I explained my situation to him, detailing how I had spent the past month and affirming that I had taken sufficient funds from home. Despite this, he pulled some money from his pocket and insisted that I take the salary. I adamantly refused, saying, ‘My honorable Shaykh, how can I rightfully take payment when I have not taught the students for the entire month?’

Qari Siddiq Ahmad smiled gently and replied, ‘I am more knowledgeable about the Shari’ah ruling in this matter than you are. Even so, I am offering you this money, so take it.’

When I remained resolute in my refusal, he finally unveiled the truth, which is the essence of this story. He said: ‘Mawlana!’ (He always addressed the teachers as “Mawlana.”) ‘From the day you left the school, I personally took over your lessons and taught your students on your behalf. Not a single one of your classes was missed. Take this money with a pure heart, for it is halal and rightfully yours.'”

This touching story beautifully reflects the sincerity, humility, and dedication of Qari Siddiq Ahmad Bandawi. His actions exemplified true scholarship, commitment to the students, and a deep sense of responsibility, setting an example for all educators and scholars to emulate.

Translated with AI , may contain errors
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