Hyderabad: Prominent Shia cleric and vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Kalbe Sadiq died on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness. He was 81 years old and was regarded with respect in all schools of thought in the country and abroad.
Dr Kalbe Sadiq was also a scholar of Ijtihad - the famous and well-known religious family of India.
Born in British India on June 22, 1939, in Lucknow, United Provinces Dr Sadiq received his early education in Sultan-ul-Madaris. After that, he did his PhD from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), following which he dedicated his entire life to overcome the educational backwardness of the nation.
Dr Sadiq who urged people to fight against ignorance not only made a verbal effort to provide education in the Muslim community but also set a precedent for others by establishing the Tawheed-e-Muslimeen Trust.
Established in 1984, the 'Tawheed-e-Muslimeen Trust' aimed to educate the poor and helpless children of society and make them play an important role in the development of the country and the world. In this connection, he also established Unity College of English Medium in Lucknow and also set up a 'mission school' to give free education to the poor families.
He has done an exemplary job by setting up an industrial school for technical courses and a charitable hospital in Kazmeen, Lucknow.
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Maulana Sadiq always strived for Hindu-Muslim, Shia-Sunni unity and for that he was respected in all religious school of thought.
The scholar Maulana will always be remembered for his simplicity, high morals and service to the people.
In 2015, Shia -Sunnis prayed together under the 'Shoulder to Shoulder Foundation' banner, due to the efforts of Maulana Kalbe Sadiq. He not only spoke of unity and brotherhood but also practised it.
A great orator, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq spoke fearlessly. He once stated that even if the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Babri Masjid, the Muslim community should still sacrifice the land to the Hindu brothers for the Ram Temple because "by giving a piece of land they (Muslims) can win millions of hearts." However, his statement did not go well with the Muslim Personal Law Board.
Dr Kalbe Sadiq not only encouraged women but also said that they need not fear the government.
Last year, visiting Lucknow's clock tower to encourage women who were protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register for Citizens (NRC), he said, he stands in solidarity with the women and condemned the government.
"I have complains with the Muslims but never with the Hindus because they have always given me respect and love," Maulana Sadiq had once said.
He added, "Ask Muslims what is religion? They will say that praying, fasting, performing Hajj but these are not religions."
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"Muslims do not know how to live on their own and show the way of religion to the youth. They must first make themselves an ideal so that the Muslim youth can follow in their footsteps. Education is needed more than Dharma," Maulana Sadiq had said in his 2016 speech.
When he fell ill last year, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh went to see him. Apart from this, the famous Dharma Guru of India Murari Bapu also respected him immensely and always listened to him attentively.
Maulana Kalbe Sadiq was not just a religious scholar but a pioneer in society who spoke not only for Muslims but for every section of society.
