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

approach towards other faiths. The Prophet was known for his humanitarian spirit and it is said that he was often approached by feuding tribes to arbitrate on their behalf. Maulana Sahab, as he was lovingly addressed by his protégés, would always lower his gaze while communicating with unrelated women in a gentlemanly gesture. A true believer in the peaceful co-existence of various faiths, he ardently followed a non-confrontationist approach even in his life. He was in favour of ending the long dispute between Babri Masjid and-Ram janmabhoomi by voluntarily handing over of the disputed land by the Muslims to the Hindus. Unfortunately, for his bold stand on this issue his own coreligionists turned against him. Then there were others who saw it as an act of blasphemy for speaking in favour of the construction of Ram mandir. Not little did anyone notice that all this while Maulana Sahab was doing just what the Prophet himself would have approved of, i.e., to avoid confrontation with fellow human beings. Another significant lesson that one could follow from Maulana Sahab’s life is his insatiable zeal for learning newer skills. In a very unconventional manner he proved to the world that a product of Islamic seminary could write brilliant books in the English language and could establish his own independent publishing house. Many of us would, forever, remain indebted to him for simplifying Quranic teachings in the most lucid and comprehensible language. He also made concerted efforts towards the dissemination of Islamic teachings for children in the genres of fiction,