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Dr. Kalbe Sadiq: The Man Who Walked the Talk


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By Inam Abidi Amrohvi, Copy edited By Adam Rizvi, TIO New Jersey: My first personal contact with Dr. Kalbe Sadiq happened while I was still in school. He was visiting my maternal uncle and his good friend, Maulana Hamidul Hasan.

Also, Read: Muslim Cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq Dies In Lucknow At 83

I remember his friendly demeanor as my uncle introduced me. This along with a deep understanding of human society was the hallmark of the great man.

The first time I sat through an entire lecture of Dr. Sadiq was in the common room of Hadi Hasan hostel, Aligarh Muslim University. This was probably 1992-93. He started exactly at the scheduled time and shared wonderful insights on Islamic teaching. This was a welcome change for young impressionable minds. It gave us a new perspective.

Also, Read: Karbala: A Guiding Light for Humanity and the Essence of Islam 

 Dr. Sadiq understood the fundamental problem ailing the Muslims in India, or for that matter any underprivileged society. It was a lack of education. He stressed it in his Muharram lectures, the Friday sermons, and on television debates

 The several colleges he founded are a living testimony to this effect. I think he was also lucky enough to see such efforts bear fruits in his lifetime.

Also, Read: Snapshot of Muslims in Seemanchal Region  

There are few people who can carry multiple identities with ease, Dr. Sadiq was certainly one of them. in a 2013 visit to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living International Centre in Bangalore, India, he narrated an old incident about a group of clerics from Iran. They were visiting India to meet a few Hindu holy men, to understand the guiding philosophy of their religion. As part of this trip, they all went to Varanasi. Dr. Sadiq talks about their astonishment when the Persian translation of Sanskrit verses on a mandir matched certain verses in the Quran. In the very next instant, he talks about how the Quran says that anyone who kills an innocent person (be it of any faith), can never be a Muslim. He created a bridge, reached the other side, and came back.

Also, Read: Brave Women Of Karbala

 Also, Read: Remembering Sir Syed Ahmad Khan on his Birth Anniversary : A True Champion of the Educational and Social Renaissance of Indian Muslims!

 The last time I met him was probably in 2017 when he visited my uncle’s home. I was at the door and after my salutations said, “Aap ne humay pehchaana nahin!” (You didn’t recognize me!) He touched my chin, smiled, and replied, “Hum badmaashon ko nahin pehchaantey!” (I don’t recognise mischievous people). And there were smiles all around.

 Lucknow will miss you, Sir!

 Compiled & Curated by Humra Kidwai 


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Inam Abidi Amrohvi

“Inam Abidi Amrohvi is an Internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer based in Dubai. Originally from Amroha, his family later shifted to Lucknow. He is currently working on a book on Amroha.

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