'Our Newspapers'

Here, Sheikhul Hadeeth (rahmatullahi 'alayh) complains about students lack of interest as shown by their reading of newspapers. Subhanallah! I wonder what he would say about today's situation?

In my early days of teaching, no student of Mazahirul Uloom had the habit of reading newspapers. Even in Darul Uloom, apart from a few students, no one even knew what a newspaper was. In those days, the best past time activity was to read the writings of the Elders of the Sufi order to which you belonged, e.g. Hazrat Nanotawi, Hazrat Gangohi, Hazrat Sheikhul Hind, Hazrat Saharanpuri, Hazrat Thanwy Rahmatullah Alayhim. These writings were our newspapers. Generally great enthusiasm was shown by both teachers and senior students to pursue their works. Now, unfortunately, the interest has shifted towards newspapers and useless writings.