Interview with Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA)

1)Whats the main reasons today we muslims are lagging behind in each step of society ? What should we do to regain our lost superiority ? What deoband is doing about this?

2)In India to remove the communal tensions ,what should we have today?

Discussion with Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA): Part 1

Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA) was born around 1942. He started his studied under his father and then studied the elementary texts in Saharunpur. He then transferred to Deoband in 1960 and completed his studied there.

Today (2015) he is the Shayukhul-Hadeeth and Sadar-Mudaaris (Academic/Faculty Rector) at Darul-uloom Deoband.

This discussion took place at Masjid-e-Quba (London) between 13:46 and 14:58 on the 27th of June 2015. This opportunity was facilitated by Faruq Bhai (Hackney) and many others Ulama and Brothers and may Allah (SWT) reward them abundantly.

Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA) travels around the world and stated that his primary mission is to answer objections and he gave me the licence to fire as many objections to his as well, I then asked again and confirmed (and he gladly agreed).

He was in a Superb, Jolly mood and took a lot of affectionate pot-shots at me (Masha’Allah like my father) my accent, my origin and my talking habits. It was a wonderful experience.

I pressed them hard at time in order to get what I wanted.

Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA) set 3 areas which he will refuse to answer and said:

1. I don’t have much knowledge of History apart from some from the Sahabah (RA), Taba’een which is relevant to my area of Hadeeth. In Darul-uloom Deoband whenever someone comes with a History query I direct them to History teachers.
2. I don’t understand politics and nether have any knowledge apart from. Modi who is our Prime minister (of India) and Obama because he has “Hussain” as his middle name so Alhumdolillah there is some “Islam” there! Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA) enjoyed the last punchline and everyday laughed the way he said!
3. I don’t indulge in local issues and refer people to their local Ulama & Mashaykh

You will read about me exploiting and violating all 3 areas repeatedly :P

Discussion with Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA): Part 2

Admonishment over Speaking, Body Gestures & Language

Mufti Saheb (HA) was speaking (before me) about how people who speak English wave their hands a lot (gesture unnecessarily) and use Umm…Ahmm…in between sentences.

Mufti Saheb (HA) admonished us to say that in Islam you are supposed to think about what you say, formulate your response and then speak so there is no room for heavy handed Gestures or Umm…Ahmm…

Umm…Ahmm…indicates that the person is still formulating his thoughts during speech.

Mufti Saheb (HA) said that Maulana Abul-Kalam Azad (RA) who was known for his eloquence used to give hours long speeches without gestures and without  Umm…Ahmm… but the Audiences were spell bound for hours BUT Mufti Saheb (HA) didn’t get the opportunity to witness this first hand.

Mufti Saheb (HA) said that I saw Shorish Kahsmiri came to Deoband and the man spoke for over an hour with both hands on his side (like a statue, Mufti Saheb (HA) demonstrated by locking his arms) but the audience were moved with emotion.

Mufti Saheb (HA) felt that English speaking Muslims lack command over their speech and their (hand gestures) and Umm…Ahmm… indicate that the thought process is happening during speech.

He said your thought process should be complete before speaking and the speech should be clear, lucid and direct.

Discussion with Shaykh (Mufti) Saeed Ahmed Palunpuri (HA): Part 3

Shunning reliance on Technology & Encouraging Speed of Thinking!

Mufti Saheb (HA) permitted me to ask questions so I fired up my laptop. I had considered the set of questions for days and written them out.

Mufti Saheb (HA) straightaway said no Technology you can use a paper (if you wish). I hadn’t.

Mufti Saheb (HA) said can you recall from memory? I said Yes I wrote this so he said then recall and ask.

I tried to record the Interview and Mufti Saheb (HA) admonished me again and said. It’s your questions ask me again and again, understand my responses and convey in your words (you have my permission) but you need to understand what I am saying. How will you do this with your computer and your recording?

Ask me again and again but understand me and my responses and then convey. He said you have my permission to convey your understand.

This was a fantastic lesson and he challenged me to use all my faculties to the fullest without reliance on technology.

Mufti Saheb (HA) was smiling and enjoying the whole time while he was making me do all these things. :P

Then he said I don’t have time for long questions. Your questions should be succinct and to the point and not more then 1-2 lines. If you can’t do that then you haven’t done your own homework! :P