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Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi

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Khādim-ul-Quran, Mawlana
Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi
First Rector of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom
In office
1979 – 4 May 2025
Preceded by"office established"
Succeeded byHuzaifa Vastanvi
12th Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband
In office
11 January 2011 – 23 July 2011
Preceded byMarghoobur Rahman
Succeeded byAbul Qasim Nomani
Personal life
Born(1950-06-01)1 June 1950
Kosadi, Surat district, Bombay State, India
Died4 May 2025(2025-05-04) (aged 74)
Akkalkuwa, Maharashtra, India
Children
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Islamic scholar
  • educationist
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
Founder of
JurisprudenceHanafi
TariqaChishti
CreedMaturidi
MovementDeobandi
Muslim leader
Disciple of
Part of a series on the
Deobandi movement
Ideology and influences
Founders and key figures
Notable institutions
Darul ulooms and madrasas
Centres (markaz) of Tablighi Jamaat
Associated organizations
Deobandi jihadism
Deobandi jihadism:

Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi (1 June 1950 – 4 May 2025), also written as Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi, was an Indian Islamic scholar and educationist, known for his efforts to incorporate contemporary disciplines into traditional Islamic education. He was the founder and rector of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in Akkalkuwa, Maharashtra. This institution hosts India's first minority-owned medical college recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Vastanvi also briefly served as the Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband in 2011.

Early life and education

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Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi was born on 1 June 1950 in Kosadi, the Surat district, Gujarat. In 1952 or 1953, his family moved to Vastan, from which his surname is derived. Vastanvi began his early education at Madrasa Quwat-ul-Islam in Kosadi, where he memorized the Quran.[3][4][5]

He later studied at Madrasa Shams-ul-Uloom in Baroda and pursued further education at Madrasa Falah-e-Darain in Tadkesar (also spelled Tadkeshwar), Gujarat, beginning in 1964. He studied there for eight years and completed his studies in early 1972 under scholars such as Ahmad Bemat, Abdullah Kapodrawi, Sher Ali Khan Afghani, and Zulfiqar Ali.[4][6]

In late 1972, Vastanvi enrolled at Mazahir Uloom in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. There, he studied advanced Islamic sciences, including hadith, under scholars such as Muhammad Younus Jaunpuri. He completed his education in 1973.[4][6] In addition to his Islamic studies, Vastanvi also earned an MBA degree.[7]

In 1970, while studying at Falah-e-Darain, he established a reformative relationship with Zakariyya Kandhlawi. After Kandhlawi's death in 1982, he sought spiritual guidance from Siddique Ahmad Bandwi, who later authorized him in Sufism. He also received authorization in Sufism from Younus Jaunpuri.[8]

Career

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After completing his studies, Vastanvi began teaching in Bodhan, a village in Surat district, for ten days. Later in 1973, he joined Darul Uloom Kantharia in Bharuch, where he taught Persian and intermediate-level Islamic sciences.[4][6]

In 1979, he founded Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in Akkalkuwa, Maharashtra. Initially, the institution operated with limited resources, starting with six students and one teacher in a small location. Over time, it expanded significantly and became a notable institution blending Islamic and contemporary education. Vastanvi moved permanently to Akkalkuwa to manage the institution effectively. He served as the rector of the institution from its inception in 1979[9][10][11][12][13] until his death on 4 May 2025. Following his passing, his son, Huzaifa Vastanvi was elected as the new rector by the members of the Jamia's council.[14]

The institution includes primary and higher secondary schools, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Diploma in Education (D.Ed.) colleges, as well as vocational programmes. Professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, and a medical college recognized by the MCI are also offered. Additionally, the institution provides vocational training in fields such as IT, office management, tailoring, and software development. The aim of this blended education model is to prepare students for both religious and contemporary societal roles.[15][16][17][18][19]

Vastanvi, in addition to founding and managing Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom, also established various educational and welfare institutions across India.[17][18][20] He was actively involved in managing and overseeing these and other institutions throughout the country.[4]

In 1998 (1419 AH), Vastanvi became a member of the governing council (Majlis-e-Shura) of Darul Uloom Deoband and also served as a member in his capacity as Vice-Chancellor during his tenure. He remained a council member until his death.[21]

Vice-chancellorship and challenges at Darul Uloom Deoband

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Vastanvi was elected Vice-Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband on 11 January 2011, a decision regarded as a reformist shift in the institution's leadership.[22][23] However, his conciliatory remarks regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots sparked controversy, leading to criticism from various quarters.[24] These statements were perceived as misaligned with the traditional ethos of the seminary, resulting in internal disagreements.[25] On 23 July 2011, Vastanvi was removed from his position amidst mounting pressure and internal differences.[26][22]

Following his removal, Vastanvi stated that he was "punished for no fault" and that his remarks had been taken out of context.[27][28] He emphasized that his intention was solely to focus on the progress of the Muslim community and to bring reforms to strengthen the institution.[29] According to him, his dismissal was a result of opposition from anti-reform elements and internal politics.[30]

Death

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Vastanvi died in Akkalkuwa on 4 May 2025, at the age of 74.[3][31][32][a]

Notes

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  1. ^ Sources mislabel his age as "75".

References

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  1. ^ Siddiqui, Zafar (29 March 2019). ""Khuda bakhshe, bohot si khoobiyan thein marne wale mein." Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi ke sahibzada Maulana Saeed Vastanvi ke sanihah-e-irtihaal par Mufti Mahfuzur Rahman Usmani ka izhar-e-ta'ziyat" ["May Allah forgive him; the deceased had many virtues." Mufti Mahfuzur Rahman Usmani expressed his condolences on the passing of Maulana Saeed Vastanvi, the son of Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi.]. Millat Times (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  2. ^ Bastawi 2018, p. 16.
  3. ^ a b Ayub, Md Irshad (4 May 2025). "Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi, the renowned Islamic scholar and educationist passes away at 75". Millat Times. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Qasmi 2020, p. 661.
  5. ^ Qasmi 2012, pp. 336–337.
  6. ^ a b c Qasmi 2012, p. 337.
  7. ^ "Who is Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi?". India Today. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  8. ^ Qasmi, Nizamuddin (September 2012). Tadhkira-e-Akābir (in Urdu) (2nd ed.). Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom, Akal Kawa, Nandobar, Maharashtra. pp. 338–339.
  9. ^ Mehta, Yagnesh Bharat (29 January 2011). "Vastanvi a success story in Maharashtra town". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  10. ^ Mirsab, A (16 August 2016). "15000 students salute national flag during Independence Day celebration at Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom, Akkalkuwa". Two Circles. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  11. ^ Bastawi, Iftikhar Ahmad Qasmi (March 2018). 39 Saalah Khidmaat-e-Jamia [39 Years of Services to the Jamia] (in Urdu) (1st ed.). Akkalkuwa, Nandurbar: Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom. pp. 60, 263.
  12. ^ Yardley, Jim (20 March 2011). "Mullah in Debate of Tradition vs. Modern Schooling". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  13. ^ Nadvi, Saeed-ur-Rahman Azmi, ed. (February 1994). "زيارة جامعة إشاعة العلوم بـ " أكل كوا " ومدرسة فلاح الدارين ب" تركيسر "" [A Visit to Jamia Ishaatul Uloom in "Akkalkuwa" and the Madrasa Falah al-Darain in "Tarkeshwar"]. Al-Baas El-Islami (in Arabic). 39 (1): 94.
  14. ^ Qasmi, Khurshid Alam Dawood (12 May 2025). "قوم کے محسن حضرت مولانا وستانویؒ کی قابل قدر خدمات" [Valuable services of the nation’s benefactor Hazrat Maulana Vastanvi (RA)]. FikroKhabar (in Urdu). Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  15. ^ Kazmi, SMA (31 January 2011). "It's all about control of Deoband seminary". The Tribune (India). Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  16. ^ Alvi, Naziya (24 July 2011). "Darul-Uloom Deoband pressurises Vastanvi to quit over pro-Modi Narendra remarks". India Today. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  17. ^ a b Qazi, Moin (16 March 2017). "India's Emerging Modern Madrasas". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Maharashtra's first minority medical college recognised by MCI". The Milli Gazette. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  19. ^ Ansari, Shakeel (January 2022). Mukhtar, Asad; Mahtab, Ahsan (eds.). "Bayād Akābir-e-Darul Uloom Deoband (Vol. 2); A Trailblazing Figure of the Modern Era: Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi". Fikr-e-Inqilāb (in Urdu). 10 (228). Delhi: All India Tanzeem-e-Ulama-e-Haque: 885 – via Rekhta (website).
  20. ^ Ansari 2022, pp. 885–886.
  21. ^ Qasmi 2020, pp. 661, 759.
  22. ^ a b Qasmi, Muhammadullah Khalili (October 2020). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jame' o Mukhtasar Tareekh [A comprehensive and brief history of Darul Uloom Deoband] (in Urdu) (3rd ed.). Deoband: Shaikhul Hind Academy. pp. 661, 748, 759. OCLC 1345466013.
  23. ^ Khan, Atiq (4 December 2021). "Maulana Vastanvi resigns". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  24. ^ "India Islamic school in Deoband sacks reformist leader". BBC News. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Darul Uloom starts probe against Vastanvi". The Indian Express. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Darul Uloom Deoband ke Mohtamim bartaraf" [Darul Uloom Deoband VC dismissed] (in Urdu). BBC Urdu. 24 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  27. ^ ""I was punished for no fault of mine"". India Today. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  28. ^ "There was conspiracy against me: Vastanvi". The Times of India. 24 July 2011. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  29. ^ Subrahmaniam, Vidya (23 February 2011). "Vastanvi wins the battle, but with a caveat". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  30. ^ Varma, Gyan (25 January 2013). "Q&A: Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  31. ^ "مولانا غلام محمد وستانوی مالک حقیقی سے جاملے۔ امت مسلمہ کے لئے صدمۂ جانکاہ". The Hindustan Gazette Urdu (in Urdu). 4 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Islamic scholar Maulana Ghulam Vastanvi passes away at 75". The Indian Express. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.

Further reading

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