Interview with Hussain Farooq Maududi

Jul 12, 2024

Interview with Hussain Farooq Maududi

Introduction

  • Host: Welcomes viewers and introduces Hussain Farooq Maududi, son of Maulana Abul Ala Muadudi.
  • Topic: Discusses the legacy of Maulana Abul Ala Muadudi and his contributions to Islamic traditions, especially in the Subcontinent.
  • Maulana’s authored works are widely available and influential to Muslims globally.
  • Maulana Muadudi was known for his dedication to educating and uplifting Muslims, sometimes at the expense of his personal life and family matters.

Family Background

  • Hussain Farooq Maududi: Resides in the USA, visiting Pakistan and sharing insights about his father’s legacy.
  • Siblings: Nine in total, one deceased, currently eight surviving.
  • Discusses locations and professions of siblings (e.g., Umar Farooq retired in Lahore, Ahmed Farooq in Buffalo, Muhammad Farooq in Lahore, Hussain in Texas).
  • Education: Hussain describes how Maulana was unaware of his children’s educational progress due to his intense dedication to his Islamic works.

Insights on Jamaat-e-Islami

  • Maulana’s Focus: More dedicated to Jamaat than family; openly mentioned his limited time for his children, entrusting their upbringing to Allah.
  • Resistance in Family: Some resistance against Jamaat among Maulana’s children due to Maulana's lack of focus on family matters.
  • Jamaat and Family Relations: Family members faced resistance within the Jamaat; Maulana didn’t push for his children to take roles in Jamaat.

Daily Life and Personality of Maulana Maududi

  • Discipline: Highly disciplined with precise daily routines, including meal times.
  • Evenings: Held gatherings discussing various topics with notable figures (e.g., General Azam Khan, Liaquat Baloch, Imran Khan’s father).
  • Humor: Had a lighter side with documented playful anecdotes.
  • Public Gatherings: After Asr prayer, open sessions with diverse participants discussing societal and political issues.
  • Anecdotes: Occasions reflecting both the serious and humorous sides of Maulana’s personality.

Pathankot Settlement and Migration to Pakistan

  • Pathankot Basti: Established Dar-ul-Salam, aimed to center Jamaat-e-Islami’s activities there.
  • Migration Challenges: Faced hardships like scorpions, snakes while settling in new land.
  • Post-Migration: Relocated to Lahore’s Islamia Park which initially housed Jamaat headquarters.
  • Complex interaction with Alama Iqbal and Chaudhry Niaz Ali Khan who donated land for Jamaat.
  • Settling in Mansura later for Jamaat’s headquarters development.

Challenges and Conflicts with Jamaat-e-Islami

  • Property Disputes: Issues over properties and publications rights post-Maududi’s era.
  • Translation of Quran: Conflict over Maulana’s famous Quran translation being published under ‘Alami’ branding by Jamaat while the original is with the family.
  • Family Resistance: Instances where family members faced difficulties due to misunderstandings with Jamaat.

Reflections on Maulana Maududi’s Decisions and Legacy

  • Educational Contribution: Maulana’s self-education and resistance against formal education criticisms.
  • Political Stance: Stood firm on combining religion with politics, disagreed with purely political or purely religious approaches.
  • Family’s Personal Accounts: Stories of Maulana’s care for his children despite his public image of being overly strict and serious.

Interaction with Notable Figures and Political Stance

  • Mia Tufail and Zia Regime: Contrasting views and eventual political decisions affecting Jamaat’s direction.
  • Maulana’s Death Sentence: Emotional response from the family and how they managed public and personal stress.

Future of Jamaat-e-Islami

  • Recommendations: Hussain suggests changes in leadership and approach to regain trust.
  • Youth Involvement: Recent successful initiatives and leaders addressing public issues.

Conclusion

  • Final Thoughts: Hussain Farooq’s reflections on family-Jamaat dynamics, the importance of bridging gaps for better future collaboration.
  • Expression of No Personal Grudges: Clarifies no personal vendettas, aims for truthful historical representation and resolution of misunderstandings.
  • Open to Further Discussion: Indicating readiness to provide more clarity if needed.

Important Names and Figures:

  • Maulana Abul Ala Maududi: Founder of Jamaat-e-Islami.
  • Hussain Farooq Maududi: Interviewee, son of Maulana Maududi.
  • Umar Farooq, Ahmed Farooq, Muhammad Farooq: Siblings of Hussain Farooq.
  • Mia Tufail: Key figure in Jamaat post-Maududi.
  • Chaudhry Niaz Ali Khan: Donor of land for Jamaat's initial settlement.
  • Liaquat Baloch: Active member in Jamaat, involved in historical anecdotes.
  • Zia-ul-Haq: Pakistani military dictator interacted with Jamaat.
  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Prime Minister of Pakistan, notable interaction with Maulana Maududi.
  • Haider Farooq Maududi: Another noticeable member of Maududi family with public influence.