By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
Part 5 of the seven part TwoCircles.net series on Darul Uloom Deoband
Founder and administration of Darul Uloom were fond of simplicity. Since its inception, they have been emphasizing on ground works and not on ostentation. Therefore, if someone would have gone to Deoband 15 years ago, he would have been surprised to see that the place that produced legendary Islamic scholars, authors, and thinkers has all simple buildings within its campus.
Like the changes happening all around, many new buildings have been constructed here, the old and famous buildings are being renovated. New library is also under construction as old building of library does not have any more room.
Among four mosques of seminary, newly constructed Jam-e-Rashid is distinguished and worth noting. The beautiful Masjid with charming dome and sky-scraping splendid towers attract the visitors. At first look, one can consider it as constructed in Islamic advent. Vast ground, long gallery of either sides of central gate and enough space at outside made it more attractive.
In moonlit night, white stone tiles used in mosque present scene of Taj Mahal which calls visitors to sit there for sometimes. A small but neat cistern and garden with carefully tended flowers outside make this very beautiful. Not to speak about students, a sizable number of people are always found there who come to see the mosque from far and wide.
When administration of Darul Uloom decided to build this mosque they did not even think that mosque would end up such beautiful but no sooner the construction began than community started to donate to unexpected amount which caused them to change the earlier plan. However, it took 20 years and much money to arrive at present structure.
The mosque has 120 feet soaring dome, 180 feet tall minarates and five doors. It has space for 20 thousands namazis at a time.
Late president of Jamia’t Ulema -e- Hind Maulana Asad Madni, had been doing etakaf (meditation with seclusion) with his hundreds of disciple during the Ramadan till his death. Now his son Maulana Mahmood Madani is doing the same.
[Photos by TCN]