ME AND MAULANA: A PERSONAL RECOLLECTION OF WAHIDUDDIN KHAN - John M. Butt

The 9/11 incident made me start questioning Islam itself. I went to one scholar after another asking them about the Islamic position on the issue: Did Islam sanction violence? Was Islam a religion of violence or peace? Was this jihad, as it was being made out to be? Unfortunately not even a single scholar could provide me an answer. Some gave a vague responses, some kept quiet and some even asked me why I was asking so many questions. I stopped questioning and prayed to God for guidance. I always had a strong inner urge to be connected to God and stand for His mission. When I met scholars and people associated with Muslim organizations, I requested them to give me any opportunity, even that of an assistant, to come to the service of Islam. When I found that an organization was publishing an English translation of the Quran, I offered my services as a proof-reader. But I did not find any opportunity. In time, I realized that there was no real scope for women in Islamic circles and organizations. I continued to read material on Islam and I would spend hours in prayer, even getting up for tahajjud prayers for years. My prayer was only one: God, guide me to the purpose of my life. Finding no other opportunity, in May 2004 I started my own center named ClearLight, where people could ask questions and try to learn about Islam. The center received a tremendous response. But we did not have an Islamic scholar to guide us. In August we thought of starting a lecture series. People advised me to ask Maulana Wahiduddin Khan to come to our center and give lectures. I contacted Apa, Prof.