Deoband added a new feather in its cap by publishing a new book on the Arabic poetry of Allamah Imam Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri. This book was compiled by Abdul Malik Muzaffar Khan Rasoolpuri, Guest Lecturer and PhD scholar of Arabic Department of Delhi University, New Delhi. Abdul Malik belongs to Dist Lakhimpuri (UP) and is a graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband and MA Arabic from Delhi Universirty. Allamah Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri is world renowned scholar and researcher of Hadith literature and one of the greatest scholars which Indian soil ever produced. Allamah Kashmiri was known for his feats and exploits in the field of Hadith sciences, but equally he was a prominent Arabic poet. He poetries were not compiled into any book, rather they were scattered in many of his books, writings, magazines and even manuscripts. He was endorsed by stalwart Arab scholars and writers like Shaikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah for his sweet, sublime and flowing Arabic poetry.
Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi deserves our heartiest congratulations for bringing out this compilation. It will be helpful to have an estimation of the subtle literary taste and linguistic approach of the elders and Ulama of Deoband. 

The book contains some chapters on the life of Allama Kashmiri, his works and students. His Arabic poetry was compiled on the pattern of diwan (in alphabetic order of qafiah). Thus it covers nearly 100 pages of the book. The author has put explanatory and informative footnotes on the personalities as well as difficult Arabic and terminological words.

There are a number of Deoband scholars who were among the ablest Indian Arabic poets, but their works are still buried in the scattered pages of books and magazines. Recently, a scholer from International Islamic University of Islamabad completed his PhD on the poetry of Shaikh Habibur Rahman Usmani, Mohtamim Darul Uloom Deoband. Likewise, research work needs to be done on the Arabic poetries of other elders of Deoband like Shaikh Azaz Ali, Shaikh Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri, Mufti Kifayatullah, Muhammad Yusuf Kamilpuri etc.

It is a matter of pleasure that Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi is preparing to compile other poetic woks of other Ulama of Deoband. He needs our assistance and cooperation. Therefore, those who have some access or information about the Arabic potries of Ulama of Deoband, they must inform him and render every possible help. Here is the list of some Ulama who are known to be composing Arabic poems:

1. H Maulana Muammad Qasim Nanotawi
   
2. Shaikh Habibur Rahman Usmani, Mohtamim Darul Uloom Deoband
3. Shaikh Azaz Ali
   
4. Shaikh Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri
5. Maulana Rahimullah Bijnori
   
6. Mufti Kifayatullah
7. Maulana Abdul Haq Madani
   
8. Muhammad Yusuf Kamilpuri
9. Maulana Abdur Rahman Sewharwi, Memebr Majlis Shura Darul Uloom Deoband
10. Maulana Merak Shah Kashmiri
11. Mufti Shafi Usmani
12. Maulana Yusuf Binori
13. Maulana Idris Kandhlawi
14. Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyib
15. Maulana Habibur Rahman Muhaddith Azami
    
16. Jamil Ahmad Thanwi
17. Azizul Haq Chatgami
18. Maulana Yamin, Teacher Darul Uloom Deoband
19. Maulana Isa Fartab
20. Qari Fasih Ahmad Bihari

etc

Some details about the Book:
Book title:           Al-‘Allamah Muhammad Anwar Shah al-Kashmiri: Hayatuh wa Shi’ruh
                                (العلامۃ محمد أنور شاہ الکشمیری: حیاتہ و شعرہ)
Author:               Abdul Malik Muzaffar Khan Rasoolpuri
Publisher:            Darul Maarif, Aziziah Market, Near Muslim Fund, Deoband 247754 (INDIA)
Pages:                320
Available at:       Maktaba Rashidiah, Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid, Delhi
                          Maktaba Fida-e-Millat, Mufti Tola, Moradabad UP
Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi can be reached at: malikqasmi@gmail.com

Reviewed by:
Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi

Title:                    Madarsa Education: Its Strength and Weakness
Author:                Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi 
Publisher:             Manak Publications Pvt. Ltd. Delhi & Markazul Maarif Mumbai
Year:                   2005    
Pages :                xvi + 212, Index, Bibliography    
ISBN :                  81-7827113-1
ISBN13:               9788178271132
OCLC Number      61211655
LC Classification   LC910.I4 Q385 2005
Price :                  Rs. 500  or $ 15.00   

About The Book:

Madrasa Education: Its Strength and Weakness is a brilliant work done on the subject. As the book deals with the history of madrasas through ages it discusses the burning issues like fundamentalism, terrorism, syllabus and curricula of madras, the author being a madras product himself was duly able to present the reality. This is, undoubtedly, a tremendous effort of the young author that beckons a brighter future for him. The book shall stand out be a new kind of vision throwing light on madrasas from a different angle.

There was another publication from the same publishers entitled ‘Madrasa Education Framework’ by Muhammad Sajid Qasmi.

About The Author:

Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi, Graduated from Darul Uloom Deoband in 1998 with 2nd position. He completed special Arabic literature and Islamic Jurisprudence (Mufti) courses from Darul Uloom Deoband in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Khalili started his career at Markazul Maarif Education and Research Centre (MMERC), Mumbai in 2002 as a Research Fellow and Online Mufti @ www.markazulmaarif.org.  He is freelance journalist and English-Urdu-Arabic translator and editor. He can be accessed at: khaliliqasmi@gmail.com

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Author's Note

I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MADRASAS :
1. Education in Islam
2. Learning Places in Early Days of Islam
3. Roles of Mosques in Education
4. Mosques as Learning Places
5. Madrasas Adjacent to Mosques
6. Building of Madrasas
7. Madrasas in Islamic Spain
8. Madrasas in Ottoman Caliphate
9. Madrasas in Islamic India
10. First Madrasa in India
11. Muslim Rulers and Madrasas
12. A Question

II. FREEDOM Movement (1857) AND MADRASAS : 1. A Turning Point for Madrasa Educational Systems
2. 1857 and Madrasas
3. Educational Policy of the British Government
4. ChristianMissionaries and their Menace
5. Three Educational Movements of the Age
6. Darul Uloom Deoband
7. Why This View was not implemented?
8. Did Maulana Nanautavi Oppose Learning English?
9. Establishment of Darul Uloom Deoband
10. Maulana Nanautavi : Founder of a New Madrasa System
11. Revival of Madrasa System
12. Establishment of Madrasas on Darul Uloom Pattern
13. Aligarh Muslim University
14. Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
15. How was the Experience of the Three Movements?

III. EDUCATION SYSTEMS THROUGH AGES :
1. Education System from Early Age of Islam
2. Four Phases of Madrasa Education Systems in India
3. Mullah Nizamuddin Lucknowi
4. Dars-e-Nizami
5. Is Mullah Nizamuddin Really the Founder of Dars-e-Nizami?
6. Success of Dars-e-Nizami
7. Dars-e-Nizami & Past Educationists
8. Shah Waliullah & His Family's Educational Contribution

IV. EXISTING SYSTEM OF MADRASA EDUCATION :
1. Number of Madrasas in India
2. Number of Madrasas in Pakistan
3. Number of Madrasas in Bangladesh
4. Number of Madrasas in Nepal & Philippine
5. Madrasas in other Parts of the World
6. Darul Uloom Deoband
7. Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
8. Jamat Islami Madrasas & Their Pattern of Teaching
9. Jamiatul Hidaya at Jaipur : A Third Type of Madrasa
10. Madrasa Education Boardsa
2. Ma'ani & Balagat
3. Inclusion of History Books
4. Inclusion of Tasawwuf Books
5. Books on Comparative Religion
6. Modern Sciences and Madrasas
7. Logic and Philosophy Books
8. Kalam & Aquaid
9. Dawrah Hadith
10. Tafseer & Madrasas
11. Madrasas Forgot Their Mission
12. Short-term Courses of Islamic Studies

VI. DIVISION BETWEEN WORLDLY AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION :
1. How This Gulf Widened?
2. Ulama and Modern Education

VII. THE MODERN SYLLABUS SYSTEM AND PROBLEMS :
1. Distinct Features of Islamic Education
2. The Status of Modern Teachers
3. Problem of Changing Syllabus Every Year
4. Shortcomings in Modern Syllabus System
5. Change of Objectives of the Education
6. Co-education in Modern Institutions
7. Modern Education : in the Eyes of Shibli, Iqbal & Others

VIII. MODERNIZATION OF MADRASAS :
1. Modernization : A Political Issue
2. Modernization Call By Scholars
3. Madrasas Reformed Their Syllabi

IX. MISCONCEPTION REGARDING MADRASA :
1. Al-Qaeda Men are not Madrasa Products
2. Indian Madrasas and Politics
3. Madrasas on Indo-Bangladesh Border
4. Madrasas on Indo-Nepal & Indo-Pak Border
5. Madrasas in Kashmir
6. Madrasas and Media
7. Madrasas can Play Peace Role
8. Difference between Indian & Pakistani Madrasas
9. Lack of Information
10. Rise in Madrasas Numbers
11. Foreign Funds
12. Change Hindu Schools First

X. ROLES OF MADRASAS IN VARIOUS Fields OF LIFE :
1. Centres to Preserve Islamic Identity
2. National Affairs
3. Promotion of Education
4. Literary and Academic Works
5. Muslim Leadership
6. Role of Madrasas in other Countries