Principal of Daarul Uloom Azaadville, South Africa and A Senior Khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (R.A) 

Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Ibn Ibrahim Is'haq Sahib (D.B) was born on the 24th of Shawwal 1364 AH (20th September 1946) on the auspicious day of Jumuah at 1 p.m. (the time of Jumuah) in Primrose, a district of Germiston, on the East Rand, as recorded by his father on the back of his birth certificate.

Hazrat Maulana Sahib grew up in difficult conditions. The dwelling of Hazat Maulana's family was a stable which had been converted into a house.

At the young age of nine, Hazrat Maulana lost his mother, Amina. (May Allah Ta'ala shower her Qabr with His mercy).

Maulana attained his Maktab education at Madrasah Quwwatul-Islam in Germiston. Amongst his Asaatizah, were: Maulana Fakhruddin Sahib (R.A), Hafiz Muhammad Salloo Sahib (R.A), Maulana Ahmed Bera Sahib (R.A) and Apa Zubeida (R.A).

Maulana attended the Singh Indian Primary School in Germiston up to standard five (1370-1376/1952-1958). Thereafter, he proceeded to William Hills High School in Benoni where he completed his Matric (1377-1381/1959-1963).

In 1382/1964 (at the age of 17), Hazrat Maulana enrolled at the Waterval Islamic Institute (Mias Farm) to study the Aalim Course.

There, over a period of five years, Maulana studied various Kitaabs, including Hidaaya Awwalain and Jalaalain, under the expert tuition of Asaatiza such as: Mufti Ibrahim Sanjalwi Sahib (R.A), Mufti Bashir Sanjalwi Sahib (R.A), and Maulana Ibrahim Mia Sahib (R.A).

During this very period Maulana utilized whatever free time was available for the memorisation of the Quraan Majeed which he completed under the renowned Ustaadh of Hifz, Hadhrat Hafiz Abdur Rahmaan Mia Sahib (R.A).

Thereafter in 1388 AH (1969), at the age of 22 Maulana travelled to India and took admission in the world famous institute, Darul Uloom Deoband. The following year (1389) Hazrat Maulana completed the Aalim-Fadhil course, studying Bukhari Sharief under Hazrat Maulana Fakhruddin Sahib (R.A) and Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (R.A).

After qualifying, Maulana spent an additional year at Deoband, solely to make effort on the Quraan Majeed (revision and Tajweed.)

When Hazrat Maulana had arrived in India, Maulana took Bay'at at the hands of Hazrat Shaikhul Hadeeth, Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Sahib (R.A) and had established an Islaahi Ta'alluq with Hazrat Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib (R.A).

Before returning to South Africa, Hazrat Maulana went to Saharanpur to spend Ramadaan in the auspicious company of his mentor. It was during this period that Hazrat Maulana was informed of the passing away of his father, Ibrahim Bhai, who had passed away on the 29th of Ramadan at the age of 63, due to a heart attack. (May Allah Ta'ala shower his Qabr with His Mercy).

On his return from India, Hazrat Maulana took up the post of Imamat at the Germiston Masjid. Together with Imamat, Maulana taught Maktab and later taught Hifz, and devoted himself to the effort of the Tablighi Jamaat.

Maulana had a great fervour and interest to translate the Kitaabs and great works of our Akaabireen (religious elders) from the Urdu language into English. For this, Maulana thought that he should do a course in journalism so that he may have a better command of the language, etc. On application for the course, he was informed that a bachelors degree had to be done first. Maulana thus did his B.A.with Unisa, through correspondence.

In 1396 (1976), after completing his B.A. with distinctions, majoring in Arabic and Linguistics, Maulana spent 1 year in Jamaat, in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, together with his wife.

After completion of the 1 year in Jamaat, the Rand Afrikaans University approached Mias Farm as they required a lecturer in Islamic studies. Mias Farm referred them to Hadhrat Maulana.

Maulana made mashwarah concerning this with the Ulama of Mias Farm, as well as with Marhoom Bhai Padia Sahib (R.A). It was eventually decided that Maulana accept the offer. Thus, Maulana became a lecturer at RAU. Maulana not only lectured the students, Maulana also taught lecturers from the Pretoria University, Potchefstroom University, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and other Universities.

During this period, RAU offered Maulana the option to do his BA Honours, which he did. Maulana lectured at RAU in 1977 and 1978. The University, being pleased with Maulanas results, registered him for his M.A. and doctorate for which only one thesis each had to be written.

After having accepted the post, and whilst studying, Hazrat Maulana realized that the university had only requested for Maulana to come in as a lecturer, to further their agenda to harm Muslims. Since then, Maulana has publicly repented for studying for these degrees and lecturing at the university, and hopes that would be an eye-opener for others.

Thereafter in 1979, Maulana left for his second one-year, travelling to countries such as Holland, Belgium, Turkey, France and the UK. On return, Maulana gave up university studies and lecturing, and continued with Imamat, teaching Hifz and the Aalim Course in Germiston.

In 1401 (1981), many more students desired to do the Aalim Course under Maulana. Great efforts were made to accommodate them in Germiston, but this did not materialize.

In the Khanqah of Hadhrat Shaikhul-Hadeeth, Maulana Muhammad Zakariyyah Sahib (R.A), mashwarah took place as to Maulana moving to Azaadville to establish a Darul Uloom there. Finally in 1402(1982) Maulana moved to Azaadville and established the Darul Uloom there, with the Fadhl of Allah Ta'ala

In 1994, Hazrat Maulana took bayat to Hazrat Aarif-Billah Shah Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (R.A). Hazrat Maulana thereafter accompanied his honourable Shaikh for Umrah. On the Mubarak day of Jumuah, in front of the Kabah Sharief, in front of the Mizaab-e-Rahmat, after the Asr Salaah, Maulana was blessed with Khilafat.

Despite old age, illness, and the responsibilities of the Darul-Uloom, which rest upon Hazrat Maulanas shoulders, Hazrat Maulanas deep hearted passion to spread the message of the love of Allah Ta'ala has caused Hazrat Maulana to travel the length and breadth of his country as well as many countries of the world.

May Allah Ta'ala bless Hazrat Maulana with long life, good health, the strength to continue in his blessed endeavours and Divine acceptance. Ameen.