Recently, an old Kashmiri acquaintance contacted me from The Hague, Netherlands, where he was on his business trip. We had not spoken to each other for over forty years. At first, I did not recognize him; however, he referenced an incident from 1973-74 when I was the General Manager of Daily Azan and he was travelling to New Delhi.

 During his visit, he stopped by the headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islam to greet Sad-ud-Din, the President of Jamaat. I had previously informed Sad-ud-Din that the Registrar of Newspapers of India (RNI) had temporarily denied Daily Azan the privilege of purchasing printing paper at a discounted rate. Upon learning that my acquaintance would be visiting New Delhi, Sad-ud-Din promptly requested that I provide relevant details to him. Upon arrival in New Delhi, he visited the RNI office and successfully facilitated the removal of the block, allowing Daily Azan to resume discounted purchases. This recollection enabled me to remember the event clearly.

My friend then spoke with great emotion regarding the life and legacy of Sad-ud-Din, whom he considered a paternal figure. Today, on the seventieth anniversary of this remarkable individual—a scholar, intellectual, exceptional organizer, and mentor to countless Kashmiri youth, including myself—I feel compelled to share a few reflections on Sheikh Sad-ud-Din Tarabali.

Sheikh Sad-ud-Din, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, was not only a Hafiz-ul-Qur'an but also a distinguished scholar, educator, disciplinarian, and deeply Allah-conscious individual. He was the Board member of ‘All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat’ (AIMMM). He spoke sparingly, but whenever he spoke, his words carried wisdom, sincerity, and lasting meaning. Throughout my association with him, I witnessed numerous incidents that reflected his integrity, humility, leadership, and remarkable character.

A Leader Whose Integrity Inspired Generosity

In March 1974, I was meeting Sheikh Sad-ud-Din at the Jamaat headquarters when Abdul Razak Mir, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami from Kulgam, entered the office. Razak Sahib was a successful businessman and an elected member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

He greeted us with Assalamu Alaikum. Sheikh Sad-ud-Din welcomed him warmly and said, "Razak Sahib, you have come at the right time." "How can I help, Amir-e-Mohtaram?" Abdul Razak replied. We affectionately addressed Sheikh Sad-ud-Din as Amir-e-Mohtaram out of deep respect.

"The Jamaat urgently needs 100,000 Indian rupees for some important activities," Sheikh Sad-ud-Din said. "Allah willing, we will return the amount within six months."

Abdul Razak appeared honored that Sheikh Sad-ud-Din had approached him for assistance—not for any personal need, but for the work of the Jamaat. He opened his briefcase, took out his checkbook, and prepared to write the check. Before doing so, he paused and said, "Amir-e-Mohtaram, last December you asked 50,000 rupees for the Jamaat and said it would be returned within three months."

Without hesitation, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din asked, "Have we not yet returned that amount?" "No," Abdul Razak replied. "In that case," Sheikh Sad-ud-Din said, "please write the check for only 50,000 rupees. Deduct the outstanding 50,000."

His concern was not to obtain more funds but to honor a commitment. Although Abdul Razak had no intention of asking for repayment, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din insisted that the Jamaat should fulfill its obligations.

To my surprise, Abdul Razak neither wrote a check for 50,000 nor for the original 100,000. Instead, he wrote a check for 150,000 rupees and handed it to Sheikh Sad-ud-Din. "You do not need to return this," he said. "Please accept it as my donation to the Jamaat."

That moment revealed the extraordinary trust Sheikh Sad-ud-Din had earned. His honesty inspired generosity, and his integrity strengthened the confidence people placed in him.

Wisdom Wrapped in Humor

Hakim Ghulam Nabi, the Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, had gone to his hometown of Shopian for what was normally a weekend visit. This time, however, he remained there for more than a week.

One day, while I was again sitting with Sheikh Sad-ud-Din in his office, Hakim Sahib entered and greeted us with Assalamu Alaikum.

"How is your family, Hakim Sahib?" Sheikh Sad-ud-Din asked. "You look very happy today." "Yes, I am," Hakim replied. "And what is the reason for your happiness?"

Hakim Sahib explained that while searching through his father’s library in Shopian, he had discovered a handwritten manuscript of the Qur'an that was more than one hundred years old.

Smiling, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din said, "That is certainly wonderful news. But let me give you even better news." "What could be better than that?" Hakim Sahib asked with curiosity. "This morning," Sheikh Sad-ud-Din replied, "I was reciting a Qur'an that is fourteen hundred years old."

For a brief moment Hakim Sahib looked puzzled, and then immediately understood. Sheikh Sad-ud-Din was referring to the timeless Qur'an that was revealed fourteen centuries earlier. Everyone present burst into laughter.

This gentle humor of Sad-ud-Din reminded us that wisdom and piety need not be accompanied by constant seriousness. A warm smile and an intelligent sense of humor can strengthen relationships and make even profound truths memorable.

Leadership Through Gentle Advice

Maulana Abul A'la Maududi announced the convention of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bombay in 1946, before the partition of India. Three representatives attended from Jammu and Kashmir, including Sheikh Sad-ud-Din and Qari Saif-ud-Din, who later became Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Muhmmad Hussain Chisti.

Qari Saif-ud-Din once narrated an incident to me that has remained with me ever since. The three men traveled by train from Pathankot to New Delhi and then onward to Bombay. After the convention concluded, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din asked Qari Sahib to purchase the return train tickets.

As a lighthearted remark, Qari Sahib replied, "There is no need to buy ticket. During our journey to Bombay, not a single ticket inspector came to check our tickets. Why should we spend money on tickets this time?" To clarify, Qari Sahib told me that he had no intention of committing such an act; his comment was simply to gauge the reaction of Sad-ud-Din.

Qari sahib was pleased to notice that Sad-ud-Din demonstrated strong integrity, but what stood out even more was the thoughtful manner in which he responded. He pointed out that having a train ticket ensures one remains unnoticed by ticket inspector, while attempting to evade purchasing ticket would likely draw attention.

Sad-ud-Din added, "When we traveled from Pathankot to Bombay, we had valid tickets, yet no ticket inspector came to check them. Now imagine if we travel without tickets. Satan may whisper into the ears of the ticket inspector that three men with long beards are traveling without tickets. He will certainly come to check us, and it will become an embarrassment not only for us but also for what we represent." Qari Sahib told me that he never forgot those words.

He humorously noted that, metaphorically speaking, one's actions may be exposed regardless of outward appearances. Ultimately, the response of Sad-du-Din emphasized not only that such behavior was wrong but also highlighted the importance of addressing ethical matters thoughtfully. And he offered an answer that was far more thoughtful and unforgettable.

This was Sheikh Sad-ud-Din's unique style of leadership. Rather than merely instructing people about right and wrong, he appealed to their conscience and sense of responsibility. His advice was gentle, practical, and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on those who heard it.

A Lasting Legacy

Looking back, I realize that Sheikh Sad-ud-Din's greatness did not lie only in his scholarship or his administrative abilities. It lay in the consistency of his character. He inspired confidence through honesty, conveyed wisdom with humility, and taught profound lessons through simple conversations.

Leaders are often remembered for their speeches or achievements. Sheikh Sad-ud-Din is remembered for something even greater—his character. Those who had the privilege of knowing him carried his words and example with them throughout their lives, and I count myself fortunate to be among them.

(Second part of three parts series)

Modesty, Truthfulness and The Courage to Admit One's Mistake

Sheikh Sad-ud-Din occupied the highest office in Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, yet he lived with extraordinary simplicity. His personal conduct reflected the principles he preached. Whether dealing with money, daily life, or matters of religious judgment, he remained humble, honest, and accountable. Three incidents from my own experience illustrate these qualities.

Fifty Paisa That Revealed a Great Character

In June 1973, I had been staying at the Jamaat headquarters for nearly two weeks without visiting my home. One afternoon, I left the office and walked to the Batamaloo bus station, about a mile and a half away. When I arrived, I discovered that the bus had just departed, and the next one would not leave for another two hours.

After purchasing my ticket, I decided to take a walk. I could have explored the nearby market, but instead I chose to walk back toward the Jamaat office before returning to the bus station.

As I was crossing the Amira Kadal Bridge, I noticed Sheikh Sad-ud-Din walking toward me. He greeted me warmly, came closer, and asked, "Do you have fifty paisa in change?"

At that time, fifty paisa was half a rupee. Fortunately, I had the exact amount and handed it to him. He thanked me, turned around immediately, and walked back in the direction from which he had come. I continued on my way and eventually returned to the bus station.

A few days later, while I was at the Jamaat office, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din approached me and returned the fifty paisa. I told him, "There was no need to return it." He gently insisted that he must.

Knowing that he rarely spoke unless there was something meaningful to say, I asked him what had happened that day. His explanation has remained with me ever since.

As President of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, he supervised more than sixty branch offices and over four hundred schools. Yet despite his position, he lived a remarkably simple life.

He explained that he had boarded an auto-rickshaw to return home, nearly three miles from the Jamaat office. Once seated inside, he realized that he did not have enough money to pay the fare. Rather than asking the driver to take him home on credit or expecting special treatment because of his position, he quietly stepped out of the rickshaw and decided to walk home—a journey of nearly an hour and half.

As he began walking, he happened to see me approaching across the bridge. He thought I might be able to lend him fifty paisa. After I gave him the money, he returned to the auto-rickshaw and completed his journey home.

What struck me most was not that he borrowed fifty paisa, but that he returned it promptly a few days later. A man responsible for a large organization considered it his duty to repay even the smallest personal debt. Such humility and integrity are rare qualities in leadership.

The Humility to Accept a Different Opinion

In 1977, Sheikh Sad-ud-Din and I traveled together to New Delhi. I had arranged meetings with several ambassadors to brief them on the situation in Kashmir, including the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and several other countries.

We stayed at the headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Chitli Qabar near Jama Masjid, Delhi. Since most embassies were located in Chanakyapuri, the diplomatic district of New Delhi, every visit involved a long drive through heavy traffic.

One afternoon we had a meeting with the Ambassador of Qatar at 3:00 p.m. Before leaving, we performed Salat al-Zuhr at the Jamaat headquarters. Since we were travelers, I also combined Salat al-Asr with Zuhr, a practice that is permissible in Islamic jurisprudence.

Sheikh Sad-ud-Din, who was not only the President of the Jamaat but also an accomplished jurist, preferred another juristic opinion. He advised me that I should have waited and offered Asr after our return. Both opinions are recognized within Islamic scholarship.

When we arrived at the Embassy of Qatar, I called the secretary of the Saudi Ambassador, a Muslim from Hyderabad. He told me that our meeting with the Saudi Ambassador was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. I requested that it be postponed until 5:00 p.m., and he kindly agreed.

Our discussions with both ambassadors lasted nearly an hour each. Heavy traffic delayed our return, and by the time we reached the Jamaat headquarters, the sun had already set. The time for Salat al-Asr had passed.

Sheikh Sad-ud-Din came to me and said with complete sincerity, "You were correct to combine Zuhr and Asr. Had I done the same, I would not have missed Asr." His words left a deep impression on me.

Many leaders find it difficult to acknowledge that someone younger or less experienced may sometimes be right. Sheikh Sad-ud-Din was different. He never allowed his position, age, or scholarship to stand in the way of the truth. When the circumstances proved another opinion to be wiser, he accepted it openly and without hesitation. That willingness to admit one's mistake is itself a mark of genuine scholarship and authentic leadership.

Supporters and opponents, showing regard for his character outside of public scrutiny.

In 1974, when emergency was declared in Jammu and Kashmir, numerous political leaders, including the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, were detained. Sad-ud-Din was apprehended from Palhalan near Pattan in Baramullah district, approximately 20 miles from Srinagar. His place of detention was known but not the police station where he was lodged in. late in the evening, Qari Saif-ud-Din contacted the Deputy Inspector General of Police, who was a Kashmiri Muslim, to inquire about Sad-ud-Din's whereabouts and expressed his wish to deliver food to him.

The DIG Police, responsible for ordering Sad-ud-Din’s detention, provided insight into the situation. He informed Qari Saif-ud-Din that Sad-ud-Din was being held at Kothi Bagh Police Station on Residency Road, which is located just a mile and a half from the Jamaat-e-Islami office. The DIG Police further clarified that there was no need to bring food, as he personally prepared and delivered meals for Sad-ud-Din from his own home.

This action demonstrated an unusual level of respect and consideration, especially given the DIGP’s official role in ordering the arrest. It reflected the esteem Sad-ud-Din had garnered among both supporters and opponents, with individuals of differing viewpoints showing regard for his character outside of public scrutiny.

It should be noted that the DIGP operated under the directives of the Chief Minister, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, who had banned Jamaat-e-Islami during emergency in 1974. Nevertheless, the DIGP evidently felt compelled to honor Sad-ud-Din as a distinguished scholar and respected individual.

Reflection

The greatness of Sheikh Sad-ud-Din was not measured by the offices he held but by the principles he lived. He was careful with the smallest trust, humble despite his authority, and courageous enough to acknowledge when another opinion proved to be correct. These qualities earned him not only respect but lasting affection from all who knew him.

(To be continued).

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai can be reached at:
WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435
gnfai2003@yahoo.com