Administration

Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Abdul Latif (rh) was born in 1879 in the town of Purqazi, Muzaffarnagar District. His father, Maulana Jamiat Ali (rh), was a man of knowledge and action, coming from a lineage of several generations devoted to scholarly, spiritual, and reformative services. Maulana Abdul Latif memorized the Holy Quran under the esteemed Hafiz of his hometown, Janab Amanat Ali, and received his early education from his father, who was then engaged in teaching in Bahawalpur. Later, upon the suggestion of Hazrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbhatwi, he came to Mazahir Uloom Saharanpur, where he completed the rest of his Dars Nizami education under the guidance of distinguished scholars.
He enrolled in Mazahir Uloom in 1315 AH and graduated with high marks in 1322 AH. During his studies, he learned Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, and Sunan Ibn Majah from Hazrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbhatwi and studied Sunan an-Nasa’i with Maulana Inayat Ali.
In 1323 AH, upon the recommendation of Hazrat Shah Abdul Rahim, he took up the position of lecturer at Mazahir Uloom. That same year, he made his first pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba.
In 1333 AH, during the time of Hazrat Saharanpuri's journey to Baitullah, he was entrusted with the administration of the madrasa.
In 1339 AH, he was appointed to the position of Sheikh al-Hadith while managing all administrative responsibilities. The progress Mazahir Uloom made during his tenure is a significant chapter in its history. Noteworthy developments included the construction of the library building, a new Darul Iqamah with an attached mosque, and the construction of the Darut Tajweed building.
A proposal from the madrasa's Shura Council regarding the administration states: "The principal and head (Nazim and Mohtamim) are essentially the same position. Previously, the work that the administration undertook was managed by the principal. Due to some considerations, the name remained for the deceased, but now Hafiz Sahib is to be called both the principal and head to avoid confusion with correspondence addressed to the head. The powers of the head remain with Hafiz Sahib, but it is necessary to add an honest accountant to compensate for the absence of the late one."
Thus, the responsibilities of administration were assigned to him in such a way that there would be two deputies: one for finances and another for education, each working under his supervision.
Maulana Abdul Latif (rh) not only fulfilled the duties of the administration of Mazahir Uloom excellently but also enhanced the quality of lectures with his academic prowess. His lessons in Sahih Bukhari and Jami' al-Tirmidhi were immensely popular, and thousands of students quenched their thirst for knowledge in his classes. Among those who gained from his teachings are notable names like Maulana Zafar Ahmad Usmani, Sheikhul Hadith Muhammad Zakariya, Maulana Abrarul Haq Hardoi, Maulana Siddiq Ahmad Bandwi, Maulana Muhammad Sani Hasni, Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Kandhlawi, Maulana Ihtishamul-Hassan Kandhlawi, and Haji Mufti Muhammad Jameel Ahmad Thanwi.
The contributions of these individuals to the Islamic world through their education and training are well-recognized. They are indeed the shining stars of knowledge and revival of Sunnah, guiding Muslims along the path of truth and spreading Islamic and spiritual teachings across India and beyond, leading countless misguided individuals back to the straight path.
He worked tirelessly for the rise and development of Mazahir Uloom, enduring many hardships in his short life, yet he never uttered a word of complaint. Every page of his life and every letter of his teachings serve as guidance for us. During his administration, the management of Mazahir Uloom was exemplary, so much so that even the renowned Hakim al-Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi acknowledged his administrative skills and often praised the management of Mazahir Uloom in his absence. This perhaps explains the close relationship and proximity between these two great personalities, as Hazrat Thanwi was also a patron of Mazahir Uloom during that time, which was a period when many teachers and staff members of the madrasa had established reformative ties with him.
Under his administration from 1333 AH to 1374 AH, numerous religious schools were established, marking a golden era for religious education. Indeed, the alumni of Darul Uloom Deoband and Mazahir Uloom initiated a new phase in the Islamic world after 1857, fostering a renewed interest in religious scholarship among Muslims, and both institutions taught the values of mutual love and cooperation. Today, graduates from these institutions spread national unity and Islamic teachings across the globe. Our great scholars have illuminated paths that will continue to shine until the Day of Judgment.
During his tenure as an administrator and teacher, he worked with utmost sincerity and integrity, traveling thousands of miles to promote the madrasa, notably to places like Rangoon, Burma, in 1327 AH. Under his administration, Mazahir Uloom experienced remarkable growth, with an increase in student numbers and new constructions. His period of administration will always be a source of admiration in the history of educational institutions.
He served Mazahir Uloom for 50 years, and ultimately, in 1954, this embodiment of knowledge and guidance returned to his Creator. He left behind a legacy of brilliant stars that will continue to provide opportunities for countless Muslims to reform themselves and seek knowledge. He was buried in the Haji Shah Kamaluddin cemetery in Saharanpur. May Allah have mercy upon him.