ULAMA AND DEATH THREATS – Hadhrat Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh was Once Threatened With His Life

Throughout the history of Islam, the Ulama were al-ways harassed and threatened. Thus, it is not entirely surprising to find certain Ulama being subjected to death threats after speaking out against ISIS. After all, Baatil is all brawn but has very little brains.
So how do the Ulama react to such threats? Do they shake and shiver, fear and quiver? Do they have regrets and do they experience remorse for having stated the Truth? Do they feel guilty for having discharged the Amaanah of ’Ilm and for having liberated the public from the shackles of ignorance and the yoke of deception?
Like the Ambiya (peace be upon them) who were threatened, different Ulama reacted in different ways. Some migrated away from the threat with Allah’s per-mission, others confronted the threat toe to toe and yet others reacted in the manner Hadhrat Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh did when he was threatened. The story is as such:

Hadhrat Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh was once threatened with his life for speaking the Haq. A letter was sent to him in which he was warned to seal his lips and to desist from making any public statements. Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh was informed in the let-ter that in the event he ignored the warning, he would be killed. He was reminded in the letter to take a lesson from the murdered editor of a magazine who shared similar views. (This editor was brutally stabbed to death)
Upon receiving the letter, Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh crumbled it and threw in into a waste paper basket. He thereafter said:
“They refuse to understand on their own. In fact, they refuse to understand even when someone else explains to them their error. I can see rivers of blood flowing.”

The next morning, Hadhrat went for his walk after Fajr Salaah. No one was accompanying him. A Hindu who knew Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh met him and the following conversation ensued:
Hindu: Are you aware that your life is in danger and that people want to kill you?
Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh: Yes, I am aware of it and I am aware of something else as well.
Hindu: And what is that?
Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh: I am aware that the One in the skies is looking after me.
The Hindu was so overwhelmed by the Tauheed of Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh that spontaneously said:
“Ha jee, Molvi Saab, in that case go wherever you want to. Nothing will happen to you.”

Meanwhile, somewhere, someone was plotting and scheming. The diabolical plans for the assassination of Hadhrat Hakeem-ul-Ummah was being finalised. The murder of an Aalim who chose to speak the Haq and guide the Ummah to safety was being discussed and deliberated.

The day came for the conspiracy to be carried out.
It was a hot mid-day. Everyone in the Khanqah was engrossed either in the Sunnah Qayloolaah (sleep) or in some form of Ibaadah. Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullhi alayh was all “alone” sitting in the veranda of the Mas-jid, deeply busy with replying to the correspondences of people far and wide.
Very stealthily a person sneaked towards Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh. The person was strong and in his hands was the tool of his planned assassination. The murder would have to be as silent and as quick as possible. The escape route was already planned.
For the assassination to be successful, it would be im-portant to firstly immobilize Hadhrat Thanvi Rahmat-ullahi alayh.
Suddenly, the assassin threw a heavy black cloth upon the head of Hadhrat Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh. Even as Hadhrat Thanvi (Rahmatullahi alayh) was experienced darkness and confusion, the assassin grabbed Hadhrat by his throat and started to throttle him.
With all the evil spiteful power flowing through his bru-tal hands and with all the Shaytaanic rage at his dispos-al, the assassin sought to determinedly snuff out the light of Hidayat. The assassins heart was beating with hatred and anger. He was consumed and single-minded about his mission: No word of Haq must ever leave the lips of this Aalim; no word of Haq must ever be written by this Aalim. The triumph of Shaytaan must be conclusive in this matter and that triumph entailed silencing this Aalim for once and for all.
Moulana Thanvi (Rahmatullahi alayh) was feebly trying to ward of the attacker. With the heavy black cloth covering his face, he could not see much. But Someone else was Seeing and that Someone Else was the One upon whom Moulana Thavi Rahmatullahi alayh was depending to come to his aid.
No ant moves without Allahs Permission. No leaf falls without Allah’s permission. No wind changes direction without Allah’s permission.

When Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh’s life was hanging by a thread, that same All-Powerful Allah inspired a person to leave his room and head towards the veranda where this mighty struggle between good and evil was taking place.
Upon seeing the struggle, he scrammed out and rushed towards the assassin. People poured out of their rooms and apprehended him. Whilst some started to beat him others attended to Hadhrat. At that time, there was a high ranking policeman in the Khanqah. He caught hold of the scoundrel.
In the meantime, Hadhrat had recovered somewhat.
The very first words of Hadhrat was not about his own welfare or about his own safety. His first words were about the welfare of his would-be-assassin. The conversation as narrated by Moulana Maseehullah Rahmatullahi alayh went as such:
Moulana Thanvi: “Let him free”
The Police inspector: “No Hadhrat, I am arresting him on a charge of murder.”
Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh: ”I have lost nothing. I am as I was. I know how the police will deal with him. You are going to beat him. Let him free. ”
The Police Inspector: “No Hadhrat, there is more then enough people here to give evidence. He is going to hang.” In the meantime the assassin was staring with fear. Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh: “He must be having a wife and children somewhere. First I request-ed you to let him free, now I INSTRUCT you. Let him free and let no one reproach or tell him anything”. Who could have the courage to argue with such a lion of a man? All were taken aback at the instruction of Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh and the man was set free.

Wallah, these were the true Ulama of Deoband. These were the Ulama of Haq, filled with courage, pumped with Imaan, fearless and yet so merciful. These were our Mashaa-ikh and our Ustaads. “And search with the sun and the moon in your hands, indeed it would be difficult to find the likes of such”
Those who threaten the life’s of the Ulama, should understand that in reality they are threatening Nabi Sal-lallahu alayhi wasallam for the Ulama are merely the messengers of the Messenger (Sallallahu alayhis wasallam).

Ulama of Haq know well that there is a double bounty in their Shahaadah: Being scholars of Deen and Shuhada for propagating the truth, would result in both their blood and ink being weighed on the Day of Qiyamah!