AN INTERVIEW WITH MAULANA IQBAL UMRI

How were you first introduced to Maulana Wahiduddin Khan? During my education, my teacher Maulana Abdul Samad Umri had subscribed to Al-Risala monthly. My father Maulana Syed Umair Ahmad Umri Madani himself was its regular reader. This is how I was introduced to Al-Risala magazine. My journey towards the CPS mission was greatly aided by my friend and colleague Maulana Fayyazuddin Umri. He impressed upon me the intricacies of the CPS Mission and the God-centric thinking of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, along with his contemporary insights. This was also one of the reasons I was able to understand the Mission, grasp the significance of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's message, and connect with the mission. I met Maulana for the first time probably in 2008 at his house in C29, New Delhi. In my first meeting, Maulana’s topic was Paradise and our intense desire for it. Maulana said, “The world in accordance with our needs, and Paradise in accordance with our intense desire.” As soon as I heard these words, I quoted two verses of the Quran as support. Therein you shall have all that your souls desire, and therein you shall have all that you ask for. (41: 31) Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around them with all that their souls desire and their eyes delight in. (43: 71) Maulana expressed his pleasure and prayed for me. He told me to work among the intellectual class. Why did you decide to join the CPS Mission? Before joining the CPS Mission, I was part of a team engaged in introducing the message of Islam. I spent about ten to twelve years with the team. I visited many cities of India and met many people. However, I understood the concept of this task through Maulana with utmost clarity. Likewise, I got to know the concept of introducing the unadulterated message in contemporary style from Maulana. What changed in your life after joining this mission? During my studies, I considered the Muslim community as an oppressed community. But after meeting with Maulana, I found out that the Muslims have become oppressed by turning away from its duty, i.e. introducing the message of the Quran. I was able to form a positive opinion about the seekers of truth and about the modern age. Before this, I harboured hatred for the seekers. Introducing the message of the Quran is an action based on a sense of responsibility. It is not performed on the basis of competence. I was not aware that God-realization should be the motive of this task. Then I realized that such introducing on the basis of God-realization is real introduction.