THE  EFFORTS OF INDIAN ULAMA
IN ESTABLISHING MADRASAS

The efforts of Indian ulama to establish madrasas spanned from the 19th century to the 20th century. During this period, numerous madrasas were established. A few of the early madrasas are mentioned here as examples:

1.  Darul Uloom, Deoband (1866)

2.  Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow (1894)

3.  Madrasa Al-Islah, Sarai Mir, Azamgarh (1909)

4.  Madrasa Baqiyat-us-Salihat, Vellore, Tamil Nadu (1883)

5.  Darul Uloom Khaliliya Nizamia, Tonk (1899)

6.  Madrasa Aminia, Delhi (1897)

7.  Mazahirul Uloom, Saharanpur (1866)

8.  Jamia Darussalam, Umarabad (1924)

9.  Jamia Mazharul Uloom, Banaras (1893)

10.     Jamia Arabiya Hayatul Uloom, Mubarakpur (1899)

These institutions were not merely madrasas; they were guiding lights for the Muslim community, directing them toward a constructive field of action. From this perspective, the scholars of that era can be seen as trendsetters for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent.

The educational institutions established by the scholars of this early period in the form of madrasas became a source of educational awakening throughout the country. Subsequently, almost all the religious madrasas established in the Indian subcontinent were directly or indirectly the result of the influence of this initial madrasa movement. 

Knowledge is undoubtedly the most valuable asset for any individual. It transforms an ordinary person into an extraordinary one. Knowledge is the only reliable means of all forms of human progress. In Musnad Ahmad (16717) and other Hadith collections, there is a narration in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“No parent has given a better gift to their child than good education and upbringing.” (Tirmidhi, Book of Righteousness, Hadith No. 1952)

If the terms “parent” and “child” in this Hadith are taken in an extended sense, it can be interpreted as follows: “Child” refers to the members of the community, and “parent” refers to the leaders of the community. This implies that if a community leader ensures better education and upbringing for their people, they too fall within the scope of this Hadith in a broader sense.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the scholars of that era gave the Muslim community its most valuable gift. By Allah’s grace, they were granted the opportunity to establish a system of religious education that continues to benefit generations of Muslims, ensuring an uninterrupted legacy of knowledge and guidance for the Muslim ummah.