By: Muhammad Ilyas Lodhi Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan
Today, August 31, marks the anniversary of Maulana Muhammad IshaqKhateebHazara. The late Maulana began a new era in 1921 by leading the congregation at the Abbottabad Grand Mosque, contributing significantly to the preservation of religious, political, and Islamic traditions among Muslims. After the Hijrat Movement, it became imperative to address the moral and religious damages suffered by Muslims of the subcontinent following their failure. Before coming to Abbottabad, HazratMaulana had spent some time in Mumbai as a tutor under Maulana Abdul QadirKasuri, the President of the Khilafat Movement and Congress. Therefore, he was well-versed in the Khilafat Movement. His close association with Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hind MaulanaMahmood-ul-Hasan, who strove to free India from British rule, played a pivotal role in shaping MaulanaIshaq as a true scholar and central figure. He received education in Hadith, logic, and the Quran from renowned scholars like MaulanaShabbir Ahmad Usmani and others at Deoband and other madrasas, where he also had opportunities to teach.
In Abbottabad, MaulanaIshaq initiated his teaching and preaching, quickly earning a distinguished reputation. This reputation attracted students from the Hazara tribes, surrounding areas, and even from neighboring Afghanistan to come to Abbottabad for their studies. Many scholars continued religious education in tribal areas, raising religious and political awareness among the locals. His close disciple, MaulanaWali Dad, played a prominent role in the struggle for independence against the British in the Battagram and surrounding areas, specifically Alai and its neighboring areas.
Mujahideen of Balakot
Before the 1857 Revolution, notable figures like Hazrat Shah Ismail and Maulana Syed Ahmed Barelvi (grandson of Shah Waliullah) had declared jihad against the Sikhs, but internal Muslim conspiracies and the local tribal chiefs’ opposition to their strict Islamic governance led to their defeat in the Battle of Balakot. The remnants of the Mujahideen retreated towards Swat through Battagram and settled in the tribal area near the western bank of the Indus River, including the village of Ambala and its surrounding areas. In 1846, the British defeated the Sikh government, gaining control over all Sikh territories, including Hazara, Peshawar, and Bannu. The reorganized Mujahideen posed a threat to British rule, secretly attacking British forces to establish a separate Islamic state in the adjacent areas of Sindh.
After the Second World War, when the independence movements in India gained momentum, and the Muslim League intensified its demand for a separate homeland, Pakistan, the BalakotMujahideen also began reorganizing for jihad. As the British were about to leave India, they aimed to unify these areas under an Islamic government. Abdul Shakoor, the leader of the “Bam Khel” organization, sent a secret letter with his special representative, Mustafa Azam Pasha, to Maulana Muhammad Ishaq in Abbottabad.
The letter detailed the organization’s preparations to establish Islamic governance in the surrounding areas of Swabi and Gadoon, with the representative providing further details orally.
In response, MaulanaIshaq advised Pasha to suspend their plans temporarily, explaining that the Muslim League’s struggle to create Pakistan was in its final stages and that all renowned scholars, under the leadership of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi and others, were united in this cause. He warned that any action by their organization could provoke opposition from the British, jeopardizing the demand for Pakistan. MaulanaIshaq’s counsel ultimately averted this threat.
Dispute in the State of Swat
Immediately after Pakistan’s creation, tensions escalated between the states of Amb and Swat over border disputes. The Swat state had occupied some border areas of Amb, and both states’ armies stood face-to-face, ready for conflict. MaulanaIshaq, who had personal ties with the rulers of both states—especially with Major Sir Muhammad Farid Khan, Wali of Amb, due to family connections—intervened. Recognizing the potential harm to both states and the newly formed government of Pakistan, MaulanaIshaq wrote to the Wali of Swat, urging for a peaceful resolution. The Wali of Swat replied, placing the blame on Amb. Maulana Ishaq forwarded the letter to the Nawab of Amb, who also responded. Eventually, through Maulana’s efforts, the dispute was resolved, saving both states from further conflict and turmoil within Pakistan.
At that time, MunirHussain was the Deputy Commissioner of Hazara, a capable and courageous officer.
His uncle, Syed FidaHussain, was among the British government’s ICS officers. Given the complex tribal customs, internal conflicts could easily escalate and spread to other tribal regions, potentially inviting interference from the hostile Kabul government. According to Syed MunirHussain, he personally sought MaulanaIshaq’s advice on the matter, finding the situation difficult for the government to resolve.
Following Maulana’s advice, the Deputy Commissioner summoned three representatives from each side. MaulanaIshaq spoke to them from an Islamic perspective, and after three days, a joint tribal council was convened. MaulanaIshaq addressed the council, asking whether they wanted a resolution according to the government’s law or Shariah. They unanimously opted for Shariah. MaulanaIshaq then delivered a Shariah-based judgment, which everyone accepted.
The problem that had troubled the government for six months, including the expenses of maintaining frontier forces, was resolved within hours. Had it not been resolved, Kabul might have intervened through spies, leading to internal wars among the tribes and worsening the situation. According to Syed MunirHussain, Maulana’s role in resolving this issue and protecting the Pakistani government from impending dangers was a significant sacrifice and a great service.
