AN INTERVIEW WITH
MAULANA IQBAL UMRI
Maulana Iqbal Umri is a member of CPS Chennai team. He is an Islamic scholar. He is associated with the CPS mission since 2008.
Please tell us about your educational journey.
I completed the memorization of the Quran in 1989 at Jamia Darussalam Oomerabad in Tamil Nadu. In 1996, I completed Alimiyat (graduation) and Fazilat (post-graduation). I completed BA in Arabic from Madras University, which is referred to as Afzal-ul-Ulama. Then, for economic reasons, I travelled to Doha, Qatar, where I served as an Imam in a mosque for three years. In 2000, I returned to India. After that, I went to Bahrain for a period of three months to study Sahih al-Bukhari.
What was the subject of your studies?
As part of the syllabus, I studied the Quran, the corpus of Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, Arabic language and history of Islam. My extracurricular reading started with the so-called Islamic novels such as those by Inayatullah Altamash and Nasim Hijazi. After that, I started reading more about Islamic topics. In the last few years, my focus has been on the problems of the Muslim community and their solutions. I felt then that I should serve Islam.
How did you first get involved in introducing the peaceful message of Islam?
After the demolition of the Babri Masjid, discussion on intercommunity relationship became very common among the Muslim community in India. In our institute, Jamia Darussalam, a dawah-oriented environment was developed. In the final year of our education, there was a lecture by Abdur Rahim. Then, after that, Janab Riyaz Musa Malbari conducted dawah awareness programmes.
What difficulties did you face while introducing the message of the Quran?
In the task of introducing the message of the Quran to the seekers, I have not faced any kind of difficulty till date from people of other faiths. I did face some hardships from the Muslims. They do not understand this noble task, and it is not on their priority list.
How were you first introduced to Maulana Wahiduddin Khan?
During my education, my teacher Maulana Abdul Samad Umri had subscribed to Al-Risala monthly. My father Maulana Syed Umair Ahmad Umri Madani himself was its regular reader. This is how I was introduced to Al-Risala magazine. My journey towards the CPS mission was greatly aided by my friend and colleague Maulana Fayyazuddin Umri. He impressed upon me the intricacies of the CPS Mission and the God-centric thinking of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, along with his contemporary insights. This was also one of the reasons I was able to understand the Mission, grasp the significance of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's message, and connect with the mission. I met Maulana for the first time probably in 2008 at his house in C29, New Delhi. In my first meeting, Maulana’s topic was Paradise and our intense desire for it. Maulana said, “The world in accordance with our needs, and Paradise in accordance with our intense desire.” As soon as I heard these words, I quoted two verses of the Quran as support.
Therein you shall have all that your souls desire, and therein you shall have all that you ask for. (41: 31) Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around them with all that their souls desire and their eyes delight in. (43: 71) Maulana expressed his pleasure and prayed for me. He told me to work among the intellectual class.
Why did you decide to join the CPS Mission?
Before joining the CPS Mission, I was part of a team engaged in introducing the message of Islam. I spent about ten to twelve years with the team. I visited many cities of India and met many people. However, I understood the concept of this task through Maulana with utmost clarity. Likewise, I got to know the concept of introducing the unadulterated message in contemporary style from Maulana.
What changed in your life after joining this mission?
During my studies, I considered the Muslim community as an oppressed community. But after meeting with Maulana, I found out that the Muslims have become oppressed by turning away from its duty, i.e. introducing the message of the Quran. I was able to form a positive opinion about the seekers of truth and about the modern age. Before this, I harboured hatred for the seekers. Introducing the message of the Quran is an action based on a sense of responsibility. It is not performed on the basis of competence. I was not aware that God-realization should be the motive of this task. Then I realized that such introducing on the basis of God-realization is real introduction.
What difference did you find between other Islamic movements and the CPS Mission?
I understood clearly, through Maulana, that the goal of a believer is God-realization and introducing the message of the Quran to the seekers is the mission of a believer.
How do you think the message of the CPS Mission is unique?
Confirmation of the teachings of Islam and its universal reach both are divine blessings in the modern age. Other movements have awareness neither of the contemporary times nor of the changes that have arisen because of it. Therefore, the correct image of Islam could not be built. Islam was considered a religion of terrorism. The CPS Mission looks at the modern era as an era of confirmation of God's existence and an era of global opportunities for peaceful introduction of God’s message.
Describe a memorable example of contemplation.
Once, while travelling on a plane, a question suddenly came to my mind: Which is the most difficult phase for a pilot, the take-off phase or the moment of landing of a flight. While thinking on this question, I was reminded of a Hadith: Verily, the results of deeds done depend on the last actions. (Sahih Bukhari)
The most important stage for the success of air travel is the last stage, i.e. proper landing. Similarly, human life continues to pass through different highways. This prayer came out of my tongue: “O God! Just as you made my air journey today through a proper landing, so tomorrow the plane of my life is going to land in the Hereafter. O God! Grant me a proper landing in the Hereafter.”
Once, my child was not feeling well. He did not sleep all night. The child was in my hands and suddenly I said, “O God, neither sleep nor slumber overtakes You. O God, when a father wraps his children in his arms in a difficult time, so, you are my God, just as you are taking care of me today in my difficult times, take care of me tomorrow on the Day of Resurrection.”
How was the experience of working with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan?
After meeting with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, the intellectual confusion was removed. There was clarity in the purpose. Whenever I got the opportunity to attend his meetings. I learned aspects of God-realization, introducing the peaceful message of the Quran, and wisdom of life.
Maulana’s book Discovery of God describes very important aspect related to God. I think that this book presents quite convincing and emphatic argument related to God. The book says, ‘Direct observation of God is not possible in this world, only indirect observation is possible. God can be believed or known only by inference and effect.’
What are your future plans?
My plans for the future are:
To keep record of and store the entire corpus of Maulana’s writings and speeches.
To accomplish thematic division of Maulana’s writings and speeches.
To make available Maulana’s literature through modern means.
To write supporting articles on any subject that Maulana has described.
To spread awareness on subjects such as science, modern age, the age of peace, the age of God-realization, etc.
What further changes or improvements do you expect in CPS Mission?
Maulana travelled much, and travelled far and wide. Similarly, members of the CPS mission should also plan travels. All members must regularly read the books of Maulana.
What is your message for the younger generation?
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan always advised the young generation to follow the path of knowledge, wisdom and peace. His message is that the youth should inculcate the spirit of inquiry, make study their motto, and bring positive change in the world through their knowledge and actions. He said that the path to success is only through knowledge and wisdom, and for real progress, it is imperative that a person makes proper use of his abilities. According to Maulana, the youth should focus on strengthening their morals and character so that they can become an example in the society and be a guide for others.
What qualities do you think are important to live a successful life?
Hard work is necessary for success in this world and God-realization is necessary for success in the Hereafter. You cannot succeed in the Hereafter without God-realization, nor in this world without hard work.
Many such examples have been given in the Quran. We must develop the characteristic of looking at our life by comparing it with an incident in the Quran. Take the example of Prophet Joseph. It offers great guidance on how to face untoward situations.
