Mahtab Ali Deobandi


Mahtab Ali Deobandi was an Indian Muslim scholar and one of the early founders of Darul Uloom Deoband. He was a member of the institution’s first governing council and participated in its establishment and early development.

Early life and education

Mahtab Ali Deobandi was the eldest son of Sheikh Fath Ali of Deoband. His younger brother, Zulfiqar Ali Deobandi, was also among the founders of Darul Uloom Deoband.
He studied at Delhi College, where he was a student of Mamluk Ali Nanautawi and Sadruddin Khan Azurda Dehlawi. After completing his studies, he returned to Deoband. Coming from a prosperous family, he did not take up employment but instead began teaching locally.

Career

Ali taught Arabic in a madrasa located in the guest house of Sheikh Karamat Husain, a local notable of Deoband. Among his pupils at this madrasa were Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi, who later founded Darul Uloom Deoband, and Zulfiqar Ali Deobandi. He was about eleven years senior to Nanautawi. Other early students included Nihal Ahmad, one of the initial supporters of Darul Uloom.

Role in Darul Uloom Deoband

When the idea of founding Darul Uloom Deoband emerged in 1866, Sayyid Muhammad Abid first consulted Mahtab Ali for advice and financial contribution. Ali was one of the earliest donors to the project, providing the second recorded contribution after Sayyid Muhammad Abid.
According to Syed Mehboob Rizwi and Asir Adrawi, the first donation for the seminary was given by Sayyid Muhammad Abid, followed by Mahtab Ali. The first public appeal for funds was later issued on 19 Muharram 1283 AH, in which his name appeared after those of Sayyid Muhammad and Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi.
Ali became a founding member of the Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom and served from 1283 AH until about 1304 AH. He often examined students during the seminary's annual examinations.

Students

Ali taught several figures who later played important roles in Islamic scholarship. Among them were:
According to Syed Mehboob Rizwi, Ali died in 1293 AH. Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi recorded his membership of the governing council until 1304 AH. Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi, after reconciling these reports, suggested that 1304 AH is the more likely year of his death.