Among the most conspicuous Madaris was the one at Lahore, founded only
a month after independence i.e. on 14 September 1947 by Mufti Muhammad
Hassan (RA) an extremely noble apostle (Khalifa-e-Arshad) of Hakimul
Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA). Due to great regards & esteem
for his illustrious spiritual guide and in recognition of his services
to prevail upon the Ulamah for united efforts for the creation of an
independent land (Pakistan) for Muslims, Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA)
named this Institution at Lahore as JAMIA ASHRAFIA.
Founded initially
in an old quadrangular three-storied building in Nila Gumbad Anarkali
at the centre of the thickly populated area of Lahore, JAMIA ASHRAFIA
soon became recognized as the most authenticated pivotal seat of Islamic
learning in Pakistan. The individual piety & high theological caliber
of Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) attracted nearly all distinguished Islamic
scholars of the time to visit Jamia Ashrafia. Qari Muhammad Tayyab (RA),
Allama Syed Suleman Nadvi (RA), Maulana Abdul Majid Derya Abadi (RA),
Maulana Zafar Ahmad Ansari (RA), Maulana Maseehullah Khan (RA), Maulana
Ehteshamul Haq Thanwi (RA), Mufti Muhammad Shafi (RA), Maulana Khair
Muhammad Jalandhri (RA) and many others always felt honoured to be the
guests of JAMIA ASHRAFIA during their visits to Lahore. The scholastic
orations of these great men of letters and authorities on Islamic Knowledge
were most anxiously awaited by the public, which thronged at JAMIA’S
MOSQUE in large numbers from all over Lahore and the areas around. Due
to the extreme sincerity & Lillahiyyat of Mufti Muhammad Hassan
(RA), the following three scholars of internationally recognized caliber
agreed to join the regular teaching staff of the JAMIA.
1. Maulana Rasool
Khan (RA) 2. Maulana Idrees Kandhalvi (RA) 3. Mufti Jamil Ahmad Thanwi
(RA) The reputation
of high qualify of Islamic education being imparted by such noble dignitaries
of high intellectual caliber soon spread over the whole country and
thus the Jamia’s building at Nila Gumbad became rather too inadequate
to accommodate the pressing demand of a large number of students from
all parts of Pakistan, Although there were no financial resources to
acquire a bigger campus, yet accepting the prayers of His God-Fearing
devotees, the Most Gracious & Almighty Allah created means from
the unknown and a spacious 120 Kanals ideally located piece of land
between the Canal Road, and Ferozepur Road was purchased on 28 March
1955. Following the tradition of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) the construction
work at this new extensive campus of the JAMIA began by laying the foundation
stone of the Mosque at the site.
The ceremony
of laying the foundation stone of Masjid Hassan was really very moving
when quite a good number of god-fearing Muslims joined in prayers with
the Founder Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan (RA) and his noble associates.
With continued
trust & faith in Allah, the gigantic project of construction of
buildings on this new vast premises was also immediately taken in hand,
and soon in 1957 the majority of the staff & students shifted to
this new campus on Ferozepur Road, Lahore. Regular teaching of Daura-e-hadith
was initiated at this new campus by Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Idrees Kandhalvi
in 1958. Today, this main campus comprises a beautiful Mosque, a huge
Administrative & Teaching Block, Two spacious Boarding Houses (One
for local & the other for foreign students), a Hospital with facility
of medical services to the staff & the students of this JAMIA and
the population of the area around, and quite a number of residences
for the teaching staff & the other employees of the JAMIA.
After having
accomplished all these targets with sincere intention to earn Allah’s
good-will, the Founder of the JAMIA Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan(RA)
breathed his last on 1st June 1961. Inna
Lillahe wa Inna Elaihey Rajeoon
May the noble
soul rest in peace in Heaven.
After demise
of the noble Founder of the JAMIA, his eldest son Mufti Mohammad Obaidullah
(MZ) was unanimously nominated to take up the arduous responsibility
of Raisul Jamia.
Mufti Mohammad
Obaidullah being a graduate of Darul Uloom-e-Deoband proved worthy of
choice, and has since made significant contribution for further development
of the JAMIA.
Copyrights
© 2003. Jamia Ashrafia Lahore (Pakistan)
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