Kalbe Sadiq
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Padma Bhushan Maulana Dr. Syed Kalbe Sadiq | |
|---|---|
 Syed Kalbe Sadiq addressing a Majlis during Muharram-ul-Harram | |
| Title | Padma Bhushan,Mufakir-e-Islam, Hakem-e-Ummat |
| Personal | |
| Born | 22 June 1939 |
| Died | 24 November 2020 (aged 81) |
| Religion | Islam |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Spouse | Mrs. Taj Sultana |
| Children | Mrs. Yamina Sadiq married to Mr. Najmul Hasan Rizvi, Mr.Kalbe Hussain married to Mrs. Bazmi, Dr. Kalbe Sibtain married to Mrs. Ajaz Fatima, Mr. Kalbe Muntazir married to Mrs. Zainab |
| Parents |
|
| Lineage | Syed |
| Sect | Usuli |
| Education | PhD in Arabic |
| Other names | Kalbe Sadiq Sahab Qibla, Hakim e Ummat |
| Pen name | Kalbe Sadiq Naqvi |
| Profession | Zakir, Educationist, Philanthropist, Preacher, Scholar, Reformer, Humanitarian |
| Relations | Brothers: Maulana Prof Kalbe Abid , Mr. Kalbe Hadi, Mr. Kalbe Baqar Mr. Kalbe Mohsin Sisters: Mrs.Razia begum, Mrs.Marzia Begum and Mrs. Hora Begum |
| Senior posting | |
| Initiation | Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust |
| Profession | Zakir, Educationist, Philanthropist, Preacher, Scholar, Reformer, Humanitarian |
| Present post | Founder
Vice President (AIMPLB) General Secretary |
| Website | www |
A reformer with a difference - Maulana Dr. Syed Kalbe Sadiq was an internationally renowned Islamic scholar, thinker, reformer, educationist and man of principles. He belonged to a reputed religious family of the subcontinent "Khandan-e-Ijtihad". He was born in 1939 in the culturally rich city of Lucknow and left for his heavenly abode on 24 November 2020 after a prolonged terminal sickness at Era Hospital Lucknow. He was posthumously bestowed with Padam Bhusan an accredited national award in 2021.
His father late Maulana Kalbe Husain was a prominent Islamic scholar as well as an excellent orator and his late brother, Maulana Kalbe Abid, was also a reputed Islamic scholar and pious Alim and was head of Shia Theology Department at Aligarh Muslim University.
Education and Professional Life[]
Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq received his early education from the famous Madrasa of Sultan ul Madaris and Nazmia in Lucknow. He then moved to Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and obtained the degree of Ph.D. in Arabic Literature with a gold medal in 1971.
Beside Arabic, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq had mastery over Urdu, Persian, English and Hindi languages. He was an orator par excellence and had traveled across the globe to deliver speeches and lectures on Islamic theology. Among his admirers are the followers of all religions. Despite him belonging to the Shia sect of Islam, he is equally respected among all Islamic sects and held the post of Vice-President of India’s biggest socio-religious organization known as All India Muslim Personal Law Board. Today, Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq is seen as a big exponent of communal harmony between Hindu and Muslims and also Shias and Sunnis. Peaceful coexistence has been one of his basic principles of life. Earlier Lucknow was known for the sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis particularly in the days of Muharram. But with the initiative and consistent efforts of Dr. Sadiq, several confidence building measures have been taken up between the two communities and by the grace of God condition is changing rapidly.
When Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq stepped into the religious and social leadership of Muslim masses in mid 70s, he was moved by the pathetic condition of the community. The Muslim community was backward in all fields and deeply sunk into the darkness of illiteracy, poverty and ignorance. He, after much deliberation, concluded that the root cause of the backwardness of Muslims lies in its distance from education and knowledge. From thereafter, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq resolved to spread education and knowledge on modern lines and waged a community wide war against illiteracy and ignorance. This became the aim of his life. He started an educational movement in the community and left no stone unturned to remove the darkness of ignorance.
Institution Builder and promoter of Modern Education[]
On 18 April 1984, he established Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust (T.M.T) to give educational assistance and scholarships to needy and poor students. Within the period of 36 years the Trust now is running many schools, colleges, technical institutes, charitable hospitals, free education programs and providing scholarships impacting around 2,000 students every year. The amount of scholarship varies from thousands to lacs of rupees. The thousands of the beneficiaries of T.M.T’s scholarships, over the period of these years, are now leading a successful life and bringing name and fame to their family and of course the community all over the world. Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq is especially attached to T.M.T’s free education program which provides quality education, transportation, uniforms, stationery, books, etc. absolutely free to the most deserving and underprivileged students of our society. Under this program, around 3,300 students are receiving quality education in various cities of India like Lucknow, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Aligarh, Moradabad, Jalalpur, Barabanki, etc. In the same program, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq has established a completely free education school in Lucknow known as "Unity Mission School", where 1,400 students are studying and all their expenses including books, copies and uniforms are borne by TMT. The result is for everyone to see. The students from this program are changing the mindset of their parents and thus bringing about a big difference in the overall condition of our society. It can be safely said that after Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, no Muslim leader has made as much efforts to spread modern education and scientific temperament in Muslim society as Dr. Kalbe Sadiq did. It is for the same reason that people are now rightly calling him to be a ‘second Sir Syed’.
Offices & Affiliations[]
- Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the highest Body of Muslims in India.
- Founder Secretary of Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust. A Government registered trust promoting education, healthcare and rehabilitation at grass root level.
- Founder President of Era’s Lucknow Medical College & Era’s Hospital (Now a University).
- Founder President of M.U.College Aligarh.
- Founder President of Unity Industrial Training Centre Lucknow.
- President of HIZA charitable hospital.
- Founder Chairman of Unity College Lucknow.
- Founder chairman of Unity Degree College, Lucknow.
- Founder Chairman of Unity Mission School
- Chief Patron of Unity Chain of schools, colleges and institutes.
- Member of Aligarh Muslim University’s court.
- Member on panel of experts of "Government of India National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions".
- Member of National Committee for commemoration of the birth centenary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay
- Member of Committee for commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
He was an ardent campaigner for female child’s education. One of his unfulfilled dream was to establish a Women’s Degree College in Lucknow
Other than this he also undertook and supervised reconstruction and Expansion of the World-Famous Imam Bargah of Ghufran Maab, Lucknow and reconstruction and renovation of the Tomb of World-Famous Elegy Writer and Marsia Khwan Hazrat Meer Anees, Lucknow.
His views about Islam[]
Maulana Dr. Syed Kalbe Sadiq views Islam to be a complete and final version of the same truth which revealed in different partial versions in earlier times. It is a comprehensive and practical way of life encompassing all aspects of human life be it spiritual, social or ethical. Dr. Sadiq strongly held that Islam is a religion of rationality and reason and therefore leaves no scope for blind ritualism. He has been one of the bitterest opponents of the ritualistic version of Islam and has warned the masses on countless occasions not to perform acts and rituals without understanding its significance because this will result in false feeling of religious arrogance and superiority complex. He has always emphasized that religion is a means to reform and beautify human character. If the character of a Muslim is not attractive he should not be called a true Muslim. Likewise he has also made it clear in many speeches that Islam is the religion of knowledge and thus it encourages research and debate. The realities and doctrines of Islam are open for every human being to testify first and then accept. Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq also portrayed Islam many times to be a religion of ease. Islam, according to him, has come to make human life easy, not difficult. It does not create problems rather it solves them. If a person tries to serve God and humanity and pray with purity, his little worship will be more valuable in the sight of Allah than hard spiritual exercises of other people. And lastly, Dr. Sadiq also termed Islam, on several times, to be the religion of justice. The goal of religion is to end all kinds of injustice, oppression and tyranny from the face of the earth. According to him, the real and ideal Islamic society is a society where no person may be discriminated on racial, linguistic or economic grounds. In this context, he also condemns the injustice against women. The fact is that this half population of human civilization has always been a victim of worst kind of injustice and exploitation. Dr. Kalbe Sadiq has always raised his voice in support of the rights of women and has taken concrete steps to safeguard them. He has paid special attention towards the education of girls which he deems to be the best way to empower them. Maulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq is also known for his radical opposition of those so called Mullas whom he often calls "Kathmullas", whose activities are confined in creating hatred, disputes, differences and confusions. These so-called religious leaders, according to him, are giving to the community the slow poison of blind ritualism and stagnation and ultimately leading the community backwards. They have never come forward to fight against social evils like poverty, ignorance, superstitions, extravagances, costly marriages, dowry and unjustified divorces etc. They, according to him, are serving none but themselves and also are scared to lose their power, influence, authority and above all, livelihood in case of the awakening and resurgence of the community. Besides, like all great personalities Dr. Sadiq was known for his simplicity, politeness, morals and above all his punctuality. His all Programs including functions, speeches and lectures always began on accurate scheduled time. It is because of these enlightening and liberal views regarding religion and society. He believed in inculcating scientific temper among people through modern education. One of his favourite topics during lecturing was Islam and Science. He went ahead boldly to announce sighting of new moon based on scientific calculations. In his own modest way he was always questioning religious orthodoxy. Going against the conservative Muslim society he supported the ban on triple talaq, he always advocated for women empowerment. He also supported the idea of women performing namaz inside mosques. It is obvious that he was guided by reason and his conscience rather than any rigid rules of tradition. As a result, Dr. Kalbe Sadiq has always been the target of criticism and objections from some extremists and ritualistic groups of the community but he never replies in words, he replied with action and results.
Promoter of Unity[]
He will be most remembered for is his role in promoting communal harmony among Shias and Sunnis and among Hindus and Muslims. His widely recognized initiative was holding joint Shia-Sunni namaz on various religion occasions. Similarly, he organized all faith meetings and events where people from Hindu, Christian and Sikh religions would also participate. He believed in the oneness of human beings. Among the clergy of any religion, it is very difficult to find such a liberal person with progressive values. If all religious figures were to emulate him, there would be no religious strife in the country. Although he identified himself with Islam but his thought process included entire humanity. A truly religious person would always be large hearted like him.
Dr. Kalbe Sadiq also went against the dominant thinking among Muslim leadership to advocate giving up the land where once Babri mosque stood in Ayodhya to the Hindu community for building a Ram temple if the Supreme Court so decided, much before the judgement came. He saw this as a goodwill gesture on part of the Muslim community which could win hearts of people from Hindu community. He was ready to sacrifice smaller interests for the sake of bigger gains like communal amity.
In a condition of being bed-ridden he went on a wheel chair to support the women who were protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens in the winter of 2019-20 at Lucknow’s main protest site at Ghantaghar. By this one act of his he clearly conveyed that religiosity doesn’t mean being meek and submissive. One has to challenge any injustice even if being done by the government. He had the moral courage to question the act of government and stand with the persecuted people. His final public act brings him close to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
Dr. Kalbe Sadiq was a man with modern outlook and humanitarian inclination and will be known to posterity for creating educational and health care institutions. In human being’s service he saw service to God like the Saibaba of Shirdi or Mother Teresa.
He truly belonged to an evolved genre of human beings. Human beings who have no malice towards anybody and neither does anybody hold any animosity towards them.
Link to some of the key articles in media[]
Links to some of the articles / interviews / opinions in print and electronic media[]
- Give Babri land away and win hearts AIMPLB Vice President Maulana Kalbe Sadiq
- K C Sudarshan and eminent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq asked people not to vote by religion but elect candidates who are honest and have a good character
- Prophet had prohibited cow meat, says Kalbe Sadiq - Times of India
- "In this interview with Yoginder Sikand he discusses a range of issues related to Islam, Muslims and inter-community relations. Interview with Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, leading Indian shia scholar" – http://insaf.net/pipermail/insafny_insaf.net/2004-November/000791.html
- " Taliban is Anti –Islamic, Say leading Islamic Cleric"
- "An Islamic Critique of Patriarchy: Maulana Kalbe Sadiq’s Approach to Gender Relations in Islam" -
- "Women offer namaz in Lucknow mosque"
- "Family Planning" -
- "Not four, but one marriage for Muslims"
- Islam permits birth control: Shia cleric Maulana Sadiq –
- "When we are no longer called Muslim Indians but Indian Muslims":
Philanthropic works[]
He founded the Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust on 18 April 1984 with an aim to give educational assistance and scholarships to needy and poor students. The educational, charitable and constructive projects that were running under his supervision include:
- Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust, Lucknow
- Unity College, Lucknow[1]
- Unity Mission School, Lucknow[2]
- Unity Industrial Training Center, Lucknow[3]
- Unity Public School, Allahabad
- M.U. College, Aligarh[4]
- Unity Computer Centre, Lucknow
- Unity Free Education Programmes in Lucknow, Jaunpur, Jalalpur, Allahabad, Barabanki, Moradabad and Aligarh etc.
- Hiza Charitable Hospital, Lucknow[5]
- T.M.T Medical Centre, Shikarpur, U.P.
- T.M.T’s Widows' Pension Scheme
- T.M.T’s Orphans' Educational Sponsorship Scheme
- Reconstruction and expansion of the Imam Bargah of Ghufran Maab, Lucknow
- Reconstruction and renovation of the tomb of Urdu elegy writer and Marsia Khwan Hazrat Meer Anees, Lucknow
He was also the President of The Era’s Medical College & Hospital Lucknow and the general secretary of All India Shia Conference besides being a member of Anjuman-e-Wazifiya-e-Sadat-o-Momineen.[citation needed] [6]
References[]
External links[]
- What makes Maulana Dr. Syed Kalbe Sadiq a reformer?
- Struggling Against Sectarianism: Shia-Sunni Ecumenism
- 1939 births
- 2020 deaths
- Indian Islamic religious leaders
- 20th-century Muslim scholars of Islam
- Scholars from Lucknow
- Indian Shia Muslims
- Shia scholars of Islam
- Aligarh Muslim University alumni
- Indian people of Arab descent
- Ijtihadi family