It is a common practice that, when referring to our madrasah, we simply say Darul Uloom without any further reference. This is generally acceptable among fellow graduates of the same place. However, it becomes problematic when we say just ‘Darul Uloom’ while discussing with or writing to graduates of other madrasahs. The etiquette in such cases is to specify which Darul Uloom—such as Bury, Dewsbury, Blackburn, London, Azadville, Newcastle, New York, etc.
I was once visiting Miftahul Uloom (Jalalabad, India). There, I met the principal, Hadrat Mawlana Safiullah, the son of the great murabbi Hadrat Mawlana Maseehullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on them both). Affectionately, he used to be referred to as Bhai Jaan (Dear Brother).
In discussion, when speaking of my madrasah, I referred to it simply as Darul Uloom. He rightly corrected me. He said, “When we say Darul Uloom without any reference, it refers to Darul Uloom Deoband. All other Darul Ulooms should be referred to with their respective identifiers.”
A Hadith comes to mind. Hadrat Bilal RA came to the Prophet of Allah SAW and asked a question on behalf of two women standing outside. The Prophet asked, ‘Who are they?’ He replied, ‘A woman of the Ansar and Zaynab’. The Prophet asked, ‘Which Zaynab?’ He replied, ‘[Zaynab] the wife of Abdullah.’
Muhammad Saifur Rahman Nawhami
19 Ramadan 1446 AH
19 March 2025 CE
