Sheikhul Hind, Hadhrat Moulana Mahmoodul Hasan Saahib (RA) is a khalifa of Moulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (RA). He was the head ustaad of Darul Uloom Deoband and spent his entire life teaching Hadith Shareef. He also made a concerted effort in the political arena to liberate India from the British. He was apprehended and imprisoned in Malta for many years. He was harshly treated and tortured but remained firm and steadfast. The torture left scars on his chest and sides. When he returned from Malta, the news spread about his time spent in jail. When he would get up for Tahajjud in the very cold conditions, he would make wudhu with water from a lota (jug) which Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (RA) had kept against his stomach (for hours) so that the coldness of the freezing water could be reduced. (Moulana Husain Ahmad Saahib (RA) was also imprisoned in Malta at that time.)
The British sentries would pierce Hadhrat Sheikul Hind (RA) with a special stick, the edge of which was as sharp as a knife, on his chest and sides whilst he read Tahajjud Salaah. The officer in charge was also an Englishman. He once said, “What in the heavens are you people doing? This man is such that if you have to kill and burn him, then from his blood and ashes the words, ‘Haq! Haq!’ would be emitted.”
On Jumuah, Hadhrat would wash his clothes, make ghusal and prepare for Jumuah Salaah. He would then go to the gates of the prison only to find it locked. He would shed a few tears and return to his place to perform the Zuhr Salaah. He would do what was within his capacity to prepare for Jumu’ah (and would say, “I did whatever was in my capacity).”
The Deoband Ulama and their Love for Rasulullah Salalaahu Alayhi Wasallam
