A brief introduction to “Nisab Mahad al-Zahra”

The divinity and unimaginable transcendence related to Aljamea-tus-saifiyah cannot be expressed in words. However, the memories of the entire alumni related to this eminent university will be cherished in their hearts forever. A child born in a Mumin’s household, at a very early age starts to hear the name “Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah”, either from the religious head of his town, the videos created by al-Vazarat al-Saifiyah, from his parents, from other vivid sources, and above all, in the bayan mubarak of Aqa Maula TUS. When a child reaches prepubescent age, he starts to realize that this name is having a special reverence in the community, and hence, the child’s eagerness to get associated with it initiates.

The first cluster of Nisaab Mahad al-Zahra

Every individual does not get the privilege to join this university. However, the opportunities to get associated with this eminent institute, in direct or indirect ways have currently increased ten folds. And amongst one such opportunity is obtaining admission to “Nisaab  Mahad al-Zahra”. This institute runs under the aegis of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah. A manifold of reasons is discussed behind the purpose of this very program. However, the most trustworthy among all reasons is the testimony of Janab Sk Murtaza bhai Qaari who explains that those who do not get admission to Aljamea-tus-saifiyah and are desperate enough to join it, can be facilitated by Nisab program which will help them to pursue their quest of obtaining ‘Ilm e-Aale- Mohammed SA’. Based upon this objective, the very first cluster for this program started during 1426H Milaad Ayyam. This was the emergence of the new dawn for a program that was not expected to get exponential success in a very short period. The faculty members along with the students were in dilemma regarding the fate and further progress of this program.  This cluster was having the strength of thirty-two students. A few students received the letter from Aljamea-tus-saifiyah Mumbai office, mentioning, ‘You are willing to obtain the barakat of ilm e-Aale Mohammed SA in al-Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, however, owing to limited capacity, you are not selected. But you can join the hifz program initiated by Mahad al-Zahra, Surat’. A count of thirty-two aspirants joined the program in the first cluster, and a satisfactory count of sixteen students completed the program.

Program description

By the benedictions of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA till the year 1426H, surprising count of 180 huffaz have globally completed the memorization of hifz al-Quran al –Kareem. This count was unique in itself because within a span of just a few years a huge count accomplished memorization and almost all huffaz were from Aljamea-tus-saifiyah. This program “Nisab Mahad al-Zahra” was the other entity from where the huffaz will begin to grow other than Aljamea-tus-saifiyah. The reason behind discussing this point in this reference is that in “Nisab Mahad al-Zahra” the main focus was on memorization of al-Quran along with other curricula taught in Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah between STD 1-4.  The other significant purpose for the establishment of this program was, to facilitate a few aspirants, who were eager to obtain the barakat of Ilm e-Aale Mohammed ^SA along with pursuing vivid tertiary education, can also get a chance to fulfill their pursuit through this program.

The timeline of the program

The seed for the said program was planted in the year1426H. The period of one academic year was between two milads of al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA. The new policies were being formalized and taking precise and concrete shape, considering the welfare of both students and faculty. After the successful completion of the first year, the students were promoted to the second academic year, and the selection of the new aspirants started. For joining Nisab, aspirants have to attend a probation period. The eligibility for the selection is observed during the probation period. The student’s activity is closely monitored during this period. And when it seems that the student is competent enough to join this program, he is selected to join it.

During the year 1427H, for the very first time, Nisab students got the privilege to attend al-Imtihan al-sanawi event. The students were permitted to just participate and were provided with a separate question paper as per the curriculum taught to them. This was a surprise element for them, as they for the first time witnessed, how Aqa Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA bestows His special benevolences over talabat of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.  At the completion of the al-Imtihan, Aqa Maula RA mentioned the count of Nisab students which was an exceptional honor for them. After five years, in 1432H Nisab students were bestowed with the opportunity to attempt the same question paper set for Aljamea-tus-saifiyah students. This was again a unique feature in itself, and to date, the same tradition is continued.

Nisab students initially encountered unprecedented adverse situations in lodging and boarding. However, they realized that owing to the initial stage of this program, what they are facing is very less compared to the favors they are bestowed. They were also aware that the management is striving hard to combat them. Seeing their unrest, a new edifice, dedicated for the sake of Nisab students came into existence named “NUZUL AL BARAKAH”. And on the 10^th of Jumad al Ula 1427H students were permitted to start residing in this new building. In this particular year, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA bestowed Nuzul al Barakah by His RA revered presence. And, later the same year, Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin Aqa TUS also graced Nuzul by His TUS visit.

Then the time came when the ‘first cluster’ completed the Nisab program on 1429H, they were uncertain about their future. Lots of thoughts were running through their mind. They were told to continue khidamt al-tahfeez or pursue their desired field of interest. Few left immediately and selected to pursue further education, others opted to continue khidmat and later left after a few years. And the rest continued their khidmat till they were bestowed with the sharaf of joining the fraternity of khidmatguzars.

The cluster 1426H, when bestowed with the privilege of serving the community and performing the tahfeez khidmat, they were awestruck to hear about this sharaf. They have never thought of getting this sharaf in the wildest of their dreams. Moreover, this news was a jubilant moment for the faculty as well, who were also waiting to see the fate of their students.

Seeing the surge in the strength of the students every year, another building beside the vicinity of Babji Maula Makan –Galiakot had been constructed.  Earlier Nuzul al barakah was having a capacity of sixty-seven students, and this new building named “Manazil Burhaniyah” having a capacity of one hundred and forty seven students was inaugurated by al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS on the auspicious occasion of Urs Mubarak of Syedi Fakhruddin al-Shaheed 1439H.

The place where this building is constructed has a great sanctity owing to the makan of Babji Maula RA. The tahfeez programs were already running in this area. (Probably form 27 Moharram 1434H).

The above description can’t be completed without mentioning the name of al-mohtaram Sk Mohammed bhai Sk Abbas bhai Electricwala who was associated with every diminutive and augmentative attribute of this program.

Other opportunities received by Nisab students

Every year, a few students from Nisab are selected for Aljamea admission. The first aspirants to receive this privilege are the students from cluster 1427H. Nisab students were permitted to attend Aljamea mawaid once a week. Nisab students attend Dawat’s Miqat and Bawa saheb Maula’s TUS safar Mubarak with Aljamea. The favors received by them within a span of fewer than two decades are unfathomable.

During al- Imtihan al-snanwi, year 1435H, all student of STD 4 completed the memorization of al-Quran al-Kareem and got the sharaf of sitting in al-Imtihan al-Shafahi and reciting the qasida in front of Aqa Maula TUS.

Statistics as per year 1443H

Alumni count till now- 549 (Huffaz -321)

They are having the privilege to perform khidmat in Dawat-Idaras.

Individuals performing khidmat in Dawat-Idaras (Tayeen shuda, wafd al-huffaz)

Mahad al-Zahra Tahfeez (all branches)-149

AL- Jamea-tus-Saifiyah (all branches)-3

Al-Kothar al-Mubarak – 2

Khidmat al-Amalat – 4

Masool al-Moze-2

Al-Mazaraat-1

Al-Taleem-12

MSB-2

 Pursuing Taleem in al-Jamea all branches, approx-70