Chapter 6 : My Father’s Children

My Father had five sons and three daughters:

Moulana Mohammad Siddique (marhoom), the eldest son, was born in Al-Haddadpur in 1288 Hijri and passed away in 1331 Hijri. He was buried in Jannatul Baqee. Moulana Mohammed Siddique had many sons and daughters through many marriages. However, only one son, Molvi Waheed Ahmad (marhoom) survived him. Molvi Waheed passed away in Tanda, Al-Haddadpur; he had  three sons and two daughters, by Allah’s Grace, they are still alive today; their names are Fareed Ahmad, Rasheed Ahmad, Saeed Ahmad, Safiyyah (well known as Nayyirah)  and Radhiyyah (May Allah grant them peace).

Saeed Ahmad Sahib (marhoom) was born in 1293 Hijri in Bangarmau and most probably passed away in Madinah Munawwarah in Shawwal 1359 Hijri. He was buried in Jannatul Baqee. He married many times and had many sons and daughters, but only one daughter survived him. He founded a Madrasah e Shar’iyyah called Madarasa-tul Uloom ash-Shar’iyyah li-Yatamaa al-Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. Following the War, The government founded many Madaris (schools) focussing on modern sciences, with limited provision of the Islamic sciences. During the Turkish Rule, even the limited provision of Islamic Sciences came to an end; the children of Madinah Munawwarah were left without direction and were becoming estranged to the knowledge of Islamic Sciences. Realising this concern, Saeed Ahmad Sahib established the Madrasah and some committed and good-willed people from India offered help and support; this is why many benefits were reaped from this Madrasah.

The two elder brothers (may Allah have mercy on them both) were graduates from Darul Uloom Deoband. Prior to attending Darul Uloom, they passed their studies at the Urdu Middle School with exemplary results and completed their Quran and Persian studies with our parents. My eldest brother, Moulana Mohammad Siddique received Khilafat and Ijazah from Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Quddus sirruhul Azeez), yet my second eldest brother stayed at his Khanqah for many years, was honoured with the opportunity of khidmat and the practice of dhikr and ashgal, but did not receive the honour of ijazah from him. Thereafter, Hadhrat Shaykhul Hind and Moulana Khaleel Ahmad (May Allah have mercy on them both) granted him ijazah. Both of my brothers taught the Islamic Sciences in Madina Munawwarah.

Jameel Ahmad (Marhoom), was born Al-Haddadpur in Dhil Qa’dah, 1302 Hijri. He was studying the middle level of Arabic studies at the time my father decided to migrate. He was enrolled at the Turkish Madarasah Rushdiyya in Madina Munawwarah. Owing to his deep intelligence and his previously developed competence in his Arabic studies; within a small period of time he made considerable progression and achieved first position at each level. He was given a medal for achievement in the highest category and received special attention from his teachers. When he graduated from all the stages of Madarasah Rushdiyya, the Turkish authorities sent him to Istanbul along with all the other graduates. From amongst the graduates he was the only one that had achieved at the highest category. The Governor of Madinah was Uthman Pasha and the Sultan of the era was Abdul Hameed Khan; Uthmaan Pashaa arranged a celebratory parade for their departure from Madinah to Istanbul and communicated their arrival via a telegram to the royal court. As the graduates were from the city of Madinah, Sultaan Abdul Hameed Khan (May Allah have mercy on him) ordered that they receive a special welcome when they reached Istanbul; much pomp and parade awaited them and were given special treatment when they were enrolled into Madrasah Edaadiyah.

Within his first year of study there, my brother managed to achieve first position from amongst 150 students approximately. In effect, he gained the special attention of his teachers and the authorities. However, it was destined that he would become ill with tuberculosis. He remained ill for many months and underwent many different treatments but they were to no avail. Consequently, he returned to Madinah Munawwarah, only to remain alive for some days; he passed way in his youth and was buried in Jannatul Baqee.  It was only natural that my father severely mourned the death of his son.

Mahmood Ahmad was born in Shawwal 1308 Hijri, in Al-Haddadpur. At the time of migration he was eight years old and was studying basic Urdu. He was also enrolled in a Turkish Madrasah. Following the completion of all the levels, my brother and all the other graduating students at the highest level were admitted to different institutes as apprentices. Mahmood Ahmad was admitted into the Department of Justice, where he very quickly made progress and within a very short period of time he was given a paid role as an employee within its legal writing department. Following the War, during the authority of Shareef Hussayn he was made he was Chief Scribe/Head Clerk and during the rule of Saudi he became a Judge/Magistrate in Jeddah. He lived in Jeddah for many years, yet was unsettled there, so he requested a transfer to Madinah Munawwarah.  His request was declined, so he resigned and returned to Madinah Munawwarah and took up trade; which he had simultaneously begun whilst working as an employee in the Department of Justice. He imported water irrigation machinery from Germany which he sold to orchard/plantation owners and he also opened a workshop for repairs and equipment which were profitable for him. The authorities of Madinah continued to include his presence in important courts /departments because they were highly assured by his capabilities and capacities; and no form of complaint was ever received from the public. He has since been retained as a member in both a paid and unpaid capacity. Alhumdulillah he is successfully spending his time. He has one son called Habeebullah who is in his youth and a few daughters. Habeebullah is presently the supervisor and Principal of Madrasah Shar’iyyah.

My Father had three daughters; one daughter was called Zaynab who was born in Al-Haddadpur in 1299 Hijri and passed away when she was three to four years old. The second daughter was called Naseem Zahra who was born in 1311 Hijri and she passed away at the tender age of one to one and a half years old. The third daughter, Riyadh Fatema was born in 1305 or 1306 Hijri and passed away in 1330 Hijri leaving behind a daughter; who also passed away a few days after her mother. Both mother and daughter were buried in Jannatul Baqee.

During my father’s (marhoom) lifetime, thirty three to thirty five members of our family (May Allah have mercy on them) passed away in the city of Madinah Munawwarah and were buried there.