Obituary: Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī (1369/1950 – 1446/2025)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Yesterday (Sunday 6 Dhū al-Qaʿdah 1446 – 4 May 2025) morning, we woke up to the sad news of the demise of the visionary, champion of the Quran and pioneer of education, 77 (74) year-old, Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī Raḥimahullāh, whose legacy and contribution resulted in educating and empowering millions of people across India.
Mawlānā founded Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in the remote town of Akkalkuva in the Indian state of Maharashtra which transformed from a small seminary for Islamic education into a global hub for religious, vocational and academic programmes and the headquarter for hundreds of Madāris (seminaries) and thousands of Maktabs across India. Mawlānā also served as the Muhtamim (Vice-Chancellor) of Darul Uloom Deoband for a short period and served on its Shūrā (Governing Council) from 1998 until his demise. This is a great loss for the Ummah and in particular for India. A brief overview of his life is outlined here including my interactions with him for the benefit of English readers.
Early life, education and teachers
Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Ismāʿīl Raḥimahullāh was born on Thursday 1 June 1950 (15 Shaʿbān 1369) in Kosadi, Mangrol, Gujarat, India. At the age of two or three, the family moved to a village called Vastan, hence the attribution Vastānwī (Wastānwī). Mawlānā acquired his early Islamic education at Madrasah Quwwat al-Islām in Kosadi. Thereafter, he enrolled at Madrasah Shams al-ʿUlūm in Baroda and acquired his early education here. His father initially wished for his son to pursue worldly studies. However, Allah Almighty had destined for him to become a religious scholar who would become the means for tens of thousands to become Islamic scholars and tens of thousands to pursue worldly studies.
Thus, in 1964, Mawlānā enrolled at the famous Falāh Dārayn seminary in Tadkeshwar, Gujarat. This was the time when Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā ʿAbdullāh Kāpodrawī Raḥimahullāh (d. 1439/2018) was the Principal here. Mawlānā completed his ʿĀlim course here and graduated in 1972 (1392). Some of his notable teachers included the following:
- Mufti Aḥmad Baymāt ( 1424/2004) taught him Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim and Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār.
- Mawlānā Sher ʿAlī Afghānī Qandahārī (d. 1436/2015) taught him Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Sunan Abī Dāwūd and Sunan Ibn Mājah.
- Mawlānā Shawkat ʿAlī ʿAẓamī (d. 1432/2011) taught him Sunan al-Nasāʾī, Muwaṭṭāʾ Mālik and Muwaṭṭaʾ Muḥammad.
After his graduation in 1972 (1392), Mawlānā travelled to Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur and repeated the final year of the ʿĀlim course.
Some of his notable teachers included:
- Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Muḥammad Yūnus Jownpūrī (d. 1438/2017) taught him Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
- Mufti Muẓaffar Ḥusayn Ṣāḥib (d. 1424/2003) taught him Sunan al-Tirmidhī.
- Mawlānā Sayyid Muḥammad ʿĀqil (d. 1446/2025), who passed away last Monday, taught him Sunan Abī Dāwūd.
- Mufti Muḥammad Yaḥyā Ṣāḥib (d. 1417/1996), the father of Sayyid Mawlānā Muḥammad Salmān Maẓāhirī(d. 1441/2020), taught him Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār.
In the service of two luminaries Mawlānā Muḥāmmad Zakariyyā and Mawlānā Asʿadullāh
Mawlānā’s studies in Saharanpur occurred at a time when both Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā Kāndhelwī (d. 1402/1982) and Nāẓim Ṣāḥib, Mawlānā Asʿadullāh Rāmpūrī (d. 1399/1979) were alive and residing in Saharanpur. Mawlānā thus spent this year assisting and serving Mawlānā Asʿadullāh, who was very fond of him. On one occasion, Mawlānā Asʿadullāh Ṣāḥib asked him, “Do you go to the Khidmah of Mawlānā Zakariyyā?” Mawlānā replied that senior scholars struggle to reach there, so how can someone like me reach there. Mawlānā Asʿadullāh then told another assistant of his:
“Take Gulām to Mawlānā Zakariyyā, and tell him that he is my son and that he should give him an opportunity to do his Khidmah.”
Despite Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā not having the habit of taking Khidmah from students, he made an exception for Mawlānā Gulām and advised him to come every day after ʿIshāʾ Ṣalāh to apply oil to his head.
Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib had a lot of love for Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā. Prior to coming to Saharanpur, as a student in Tadkeshwar and a Khādim (assistant) of Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā ʿAbdullāh Kāpodrawī, one day, Mawlānā ʿAbdullāḥ informed him that he is travelling to Saharanpur if he wanted to send any gift for Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā. The following day, Mawlānā Gulām gave some sugar to Mawlānā ʿAbdullāh to gift to Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā along with a letter. Mawlānā chose sugar because he remembered that Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā was advised by his father Mawlānā Muḥammad Yaḥyā (d. 1334/1916) to gift sugar to Mawlānā Khalīl Aḥmad Sahāranpūrī (d. 1346/1927). When Mawlānā ʿAbdullāḥ reached Saharanpur and gifted the sugar and letter to Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā, tears started to flow from the latter’s eyes as he remembered his father and teacher. He then instructed for tea to be made with this sugar and everyone including Mawlānā ʿAbdullāḥ was fed this tea.
Thus, from a young age, Mawlānā Gulām was considerate of people and involved himself in the service of others especially senior scholars, whose supplications benefited him throughout his life.
The journey to Akkalkuva
After spending a year in Saharanpur, Mawlānā returned to Gujarat in 1973 and started teaching in Bodhan, Surat. Ten days after teaching here, he was appointed to teach the early years of the ʿĀlim course in Darul Uloom Kantharia, Bharuch, which he continued to do so for the next seven years. It was during his stay in Kantharia in the late 1970s that he once travelled to Akkalkuva in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra and decided to establish a small Maktab there considering the need. The distance between Kantharia and Akkalkuva is only 140km but the journey takes several hours due to poor road conditions.
A small Maktab thus began with one teacher and six pupils. Mawlānā continued his teaching at Kantharia and would travel weekly on Thursday and Friday during the week break. Eventually, in approximately 1980, Mawlānā left his teaching role at Kantharia and moved to Akkalkuva. Who would have thought then that Akkalkuva would become what it is today.
Achievements
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh laid the foundation of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in 1979 with the initial aim of imparting Islamic sciences and creating Ḥuffāẓ and ʿUlamāʾ (scholars). However, today it is a multi-faceted educational institute delivering Islamic and worldly sciences across all the age ranges. The institute has primary schools, BEd (Bachelor of Education) colleges, IT training centres, engineering, law, nursing and pharmacy colleges and above all a medical college and a hospital. Within the campus in Akkalkuva, there are a total of 15,000 students studying with the total workforce exceeding 500 people.
In addition to this, there are more than 2000 Maktabs run by Jamia and more than 100 Madāris (seminaries) with boarding facilities throughout India. Mawlānā had a real attachment with the Quran. Mawlānā’s habit was to recite two Juzʾ of the Quran daily first thing in the morning, in addition to the Adhkār. He would only engage in other activities after this. On one occasion, Mawlānā was asked about the secret behind his widespread acceptance. He said,
“There are two reasons. The first is that I have dedicated myself to the service of the Quran, and the second is that I have embraced every servant of the Quran.”
In addition to the educational programmes, Mawlānā also implemented a range of humanitarian and charitable programmes throughout India especially during disasters and riots. This includes house construction programme as well as sponsoring orphans, providing food, water and medicine, and economic empowerment initiatives.
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh writes in his foreword to the 2023-24 annual report of Jamia:
“Since our inception in 1979, we have grown into a leading institution, educating over 204,707 students across 19 states. In the past year alone, Jamia has empowered 21,469 students and touched the lives of over 703,983 individuals in need through relief and rehabilitation efforts, providing healthcare, food, clean water, school supplies, orphan sponsorships, and livelihood support. Since our establishment, we have educated more than 436,852 children, positively impacting 11.5 million underprivileged beneficiaries through education and social welfare initiatives.”
He further writes:
“Jamia oversees 45 primary schools, 35 high schools, and 17 junior colleges. Its extensive impact is reflected in the establishment of educational institutions such as the Indian Institute of Medial Science & Research (MMBS & PG), 7 ITI colleges, 1 polytechnic, 1 Engineering college, 6 Teacher training institutes (D.Ed. & B.Ed.), 1 law college, 9 Pharmacy colleges, 1 BHMS college, 2 BUMS colleges, and 2 Nursing colleges. Additionally, Jamia operates 37 hospitals, including an 870-bed multi-specialty hospital.”
He further writes:
“Our commitment to empowering underprivileged communities is evident in our 128 accredited schools and colleges that are imparting education to 24,158 students, primarily in rural areas. Operating 37 girls’ and 79 boys’ boarding madrasas, reaching 38,135 students, along with 2,221 Makatib serving 142,414 children, signifies our dedication”
Some of the statistics from the 2023-24 annual report are as follows:
- 11,007 students completed the memorisation of the Quran at the Akkalkuva campus. A further 15,079 students completed the memorisation of the Quran in affiliated Maktabs and Madrasas.
- 6,162 students graduated as religious scholars from the Akkaluva campus. A further 1,038 students graduated as religious scholars from the affiliated Maktabs and Madrasas run by Jamia.
- 1,351 students graduated with Batchelors of Education.
- 462 students have qualified as doctors with MBBS.
- 7,380 Masjids and community centres have been constructed.
The following table from the report provides a glimpse into the educational activities of Jamia which does not include the other charitable programmes:
These achievements are all testament to Mawlānā’s efforts, dedication and vision, which should be understood in the context of Mawlānā having started this work from scratch. It was not the case that there was already a seminary in Akkalkuva with an established track record and existing funding streams. One man achieved what a large group of people and established organisations do not achieve.
Relationship with Qārī Ṣiddīq Bāndawī Ṣāḥib, Shaykh Yūnus Ṣāḥib and other luminaries
After the demise of Mawlānā Asʿadullāḥ Ṣāḥib and Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā Ṣāḥib, Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib attached himself with Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Qārī Ṣiddīq Bāndawī (d. 1418/1997). Qārī Ṣiddīq Ṣāḥib was a pious saint who visited the UK in September 1996. I recall as young 7-year-old-child sitting with him in a car in Batley and also visiting Banda in 1997 with our family and Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Muḥammad Yūnus Jownpūrī who Qārī Ṣiddīq Ṣāḥib would invite for the completion of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī every year. Qārī Ṣiddīq Ṣāḥib’s piety was renown in the area even to non-Muslims who would come to him with their problems. Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib established a very close relationship with him and benefited a great deal from his spirituality and direction. He also invited him to lay the foundation of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom and was honoured with Ijāzah in Taṣawwuf from him. He also received Ijāzah in Taṣawwuf from Shaykh Yūnus Ṣāḥib.
Shaykh Yūnus Ṣāḥib once said:
“Nāẓim Ṣāḥib, Mawlānā Asʿadullāh Rāmpūrī would say: If Allah Almighty asks me what have you brought from the world? I will say: Qārī Ṣiddīq Bāndawī Ṣāḥib. Qāri Ṣiddīq Ṣāḥib would say: If Allah Almighty asks me what have you brought from the world, I will say: Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī. And if I am asked, I will say the verse: لا تقنطوا من رحمة الله.”
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh was loved by his teachers, contemporaries and juniors and this love and affection was reciprocal. His teacher, Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā ʿAbdullāh Kāpodrawī once said during the final stages of his life, “Mawlānā Gulām has fulfilled the duty of serving me.” He also said, “If Allah Almighty asks me what have you brought from the world, I will present Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī.”
My respected father Mufti Shabbir Ahmad (b. 1376/1957) said:
“This is a huge loss for the Ummah. I knew Mawlānā since my days of studying in Saharanpur when he would come to meet Shaykh Yūnus Ṣāḥib and other teachers. We maintained a good connection since then. Later, Mawlānā was also part of the Shūrā (Governing Council) of Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur and we would discuss things. I visited Akkalkuva and was amazed. Allah Almighty took a lot of work from Mawlānā. He was simple and humble and was dedicating to serving others. He also visited us many times in the UK. I once advised him to start teaching Muwaṭṭāʾ Muḥammad at Jamia. It is my supplication that Allah Almighty continue his legacy and grant tawfīq to his children and associates to continue and build on his legacy.”
Darul Uloom Deoband
Mawlānā was appointed to the Shūrā (Governing Counci) of Darul Uloom Deoband in 1998. In 2011, after the demise of Mawlānā Margūburraḥmān (d. 1432/2010), Mawlānā was appointed on 11 January 2011 by the Shūrā to be the Muhtamim (Vice-Chancellor). Some mischief followed thereafter, and Mawlānā resigned after a few months on 23 July 2011. However, he did not create mischief and remained as a member of the Shūrā until his demise. I recall that Mawlānā visited Blackburn during that period. We were all sat at the residence of my dear friend, Mawlānā Aḥmad Sīdāt. Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ said with a smile on his face, “Mawlānā Badruddīn Ṣāḥib encouraged me to become Muhtamim, now even he is suggesting I step aside.” There were some concerns that Mawlānā would introduce certain reforms to Darul Uloom Deoband, concerns that were exaggerated. Some of Mawlānā’s statements were also misconstrued.
In addition to Darul Uloom Deoband, Mawlānā served on the Governing Councils of many institutes including Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur. He also served as patron of many charities and institutes.
Some memories
I have many memories of Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh. Mawlānā was very affectionate towards everyone including juniors like us. He was charismatic, friendly and approachable. His smile and embrace were unique. I visited him in Akkalkuva twice, the first was on the day of Eid al-Fitr, 1 Shawwāl 1433 (August 2012) with Mawlānā Muḥammad Sīdāt of Blackburn. We travelled from Ahmedabad by road and met with Mawlānā. When we entered the seminary, it felt as though we were entering an entire village. Prior to this, we had met in the UK and also phoned each other several times.
Thereafter, we had the honour of spending some time with Mawlānā in Ahmedabad on Saturday 15 February 2014 and Sunday 16 February 2014. The Ahmedabad based organisation Gujarat Sarvajanik Welfare Trust (GSWT) run by my dear friend, Ḥājī Afzal Bhai Memon had invited us from the UK to partake in the schools’ graduation programme on Saturday 15 February and the group wedding programme on Sunday 16 February 2014. Mawlānā Ḥanīf Dūdhwālā, Mawlānā ʿIrfān Sangī, Mufti ʿAbdul Ḥamīd, Mawlānā Shuʿayb and I attended from the UK and Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib came from Akkalkuva. It was Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib’s habit to help and support the charitable work of all organisations. This is also one of the secrets behind his success, it was not just about the programmes he was managing. He would regard all projects as his own. Looking back at my unpublished travelogue and record of this journey, there is a picture where Mawlānā Gulām Ṣāḥib and I are sat next to each other during the schools’ graduation programme.
In October 2014, I made a second visit to Akkalkuva, this time with my friend, Mawlānā Fazlurrehman of Blackburn. The following is the account of the day from my travelogue published online:
Day 9 – Sunday 12 October 2014
In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful
It is another early start this morning as we travel from Ahmedabad on a six hour journey by road to Akkalkuva. The journey is a bumpy ride and the poor transport infrastructure does not match the rhetoric of politicians.
Akkalkuva is a small village in the state of Maharashtra that has gained prominence over the past two decades. Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī founded Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in Akkalkuva in 1980, the beginnings of which were modest. Today, the institute has become one of India’s most prestigious and influential organisations. It is a symbol of educational excellence and spiritual guidance for people of India and beyond. It serves 200,000 pupils throughout the country through a range of religious, vocational and academic programmes.
We arrive in Akkalkuva after midday and meet with Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Gulām Muḥammad Wastānwī who gives us a tour of the campus. It is clear that Mawlānā has transformed the small village into a national centre of education and a beacon of hope for the poor and underprivileged minorities who come here from all over India. The campus has also enhanced the local economy. We visit the faculties of: memorisation of Qurʾān, Ḥadīth, Tafsīr, and Iftāʾ coupled with various institutions of modern education in the areas of engineering, industrial training, pharmacy, medicine, technology, business and management, commerce and arts, education and teacher training. The campus is a world class facility comprising of different buildings on 70 acre land. There are 20,000 students at the Akkalkuva campus with over 2,000 staff. The daily budget for just catering exceeds £20,000.
The achievements and impact of Akkalkuva should be understood in the context of the social and political context of India where the Muslims are a minority community that is significantly under-represented in education. Akkalkuva is reducing this inequality by empowering poor people and providing them access to higher education at a subsidised cost. We meet an alumnus of the institute from Nawalpur who is now a successful doctor earning £50,000 per annum. He enrolled on the institute’s medicine programme but could only afford £100. His remaining fees and accommodation costs were subsidised by the institute. This is a live example of the power and impact of education.
After spending a few hours in Akkalkuva, we return to Ahmedabad just before midnight. A tiring but worthwhile visit.
Yusuf Shabbir, Ahmedabad, India
Demise
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ had diabetes for the last ten years and was also undergoing kidney dialysis for the last three years. His health deteriorated two months ago following an infection and he was hospitalised. During his illness, he would listen to the recitation of the Quran when he was unable to recite it himself.
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ’s body was not responding to medicines for two days preceding his demise, and he was brought home where he passed away on the afternoon of Sunday 4 May 2025 (6 Dhū al-Qaʿdah 1446). My dear friend, Mawlānā Ḥudhayfah Ṣāḥib, the talented son and deputy of Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ, mentions that he was in the room reciting the Quran when his father’s soul left the world. This was after the adhān of Ẓuhr Ṣalāh had taken place. However, he did not sense the soul leaving the body. There were no signs of pain or discomfort, the soul left the body without him making any movement or noise whatsoever. It was only when the doctor present indicated that the soul has left the body that those present became aware of his demise.
The Janāzah Ṣalāḥ took place on the same day in the evening and was attended by more than 50,000 people. I understand the Janāzah Ṣalāh was led by Mawlānā Ḥudhayfah Ṣāḥib.
Mawlānā leaves behind his wife, two sons Mawlānā Ḥudhayfah and Mawlānā Uways along with six daughters. One of his daughters lives in Preston and is married to Mawlānā Khālid Desai. Another daughter lives in Deoband and is married to Mawlānā Ḥabīb, the son of Sayyid Mawlānā Arshad Madani Ṣāḥib (b. 1360/1941). Mawlānā’s third son Mawlānā Saʿīd passed away in 2019.
We pray to Allah Almighty to forgive Mawlānā Gulam Ṣāḥib and grant him an abode in the highest stations of Jannah. If there is one word that summarises his life, then it is Khidmah (service). He served Islam. He served the Quran. He served seminaries. He served the poor. He served his seniors and juniors. He served everyone. May Allah Almighty accept his life-long services and grant patience to all his family members, associates and students. May Allah Almighty protect Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom and all the seminaries across the world. Āmīn.
Yusuf Shabbir
7 Dhū al-Qaʿdah 1446 / 5 May 2025
