Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan: A Lifetime of Service and Spiritual Leadership
10-28-2025
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From Gujarat to Fiji and Beyond — The Legacy of a Scholar Devoted to Faith and Humanity
In the quiet village of Lajpoor, near Surat, India, a child was born in 1931 who would one day dedicate his entire life to spreading the message of Islam across continents. That child, Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan (Damat Barakatuhu), would go on to serve the Muslim communities of Fiji, New Zealand, and beyond for more than six decades, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge, humility, and unwavering faith.
Early Life and Heritage
Born into a family known for piety and scholarship, Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan’s lineage traces back to renowned religious figures in Gujarat. His great ancestor, Shah Sufi Suleiman Diwan (1803–1924), was recognized as a saintly figure known for his devotion and spiritual insight. His father, Maulana Hakeem Abdul Hay Diwan (1908–1936), was a graduate of the prestigious Jamia Islamiyah Dabhel, and a student of great scholars such as Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri and Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Uthmani.
At the tender age of five, Maulana Bashir lost his father and was raised under the care of his mother, who instilled in him a deep love for Islam and learning. From an early age, he showed a remarkable inclination toward religious knowledge, preferring the study of the Qur’an and Arabic to secular education.
Pursuit of Sacred Knowledge
At just 15, Maulana Bashir enrolled at Jamia Islamiyah Ta’leem-ud-Deen, Dabhel, where he spent six years studying Arabic, Hadith, Tafsir, and Islamic jurisprudence. He was blessed to study under distinguished teachers such as Maulana Abdul Jabbar Azami and Maulana Shams-ud-Deen Barodawy.
He then advanced to Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most prestigious Islamic seminaries in the world, to complete his final year of Hadith studies (Daura Hadith). There he studied under towering personalities, including Shaikhul Islam Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani (R.A.), who had once taught near the blessed grave of the Prophet ? in Madinah.
In 1952, at the age of 21, Maulana Bashir graduated with distinction, earning his Sanad al-‘Alimiyyah (certificate of scholarship).
A Journey to Serve: From India to Fiji
After graduation, Maulana Bashir began teaching at his hometown Madrasah in Lajpoor, where he served from 1952 to 1956. His eloquence and sincerity soon attracted attention beyond India.
In 1957, through the efforts of the Suva Muslim League and the recommendation of Haji Yusuf Dawood Sahib, Maulana Bashir accepted a call to serve the small but growing Muslim community of Fiji. With his wife and infant daughter, he embarked on a 16-day sea voyage from Bombay to Sydney, and then onward to Nadi, Fiji — a journey that marked the beginning of nearly 45 years of selfless service.
Building the Foundation of Islamic Life in Fiji
Upon arrival, Maulana Bashir took up residence in Suva, where he began teaching Qur’an and Islamic studies to children and adults alike. Initially serving as a teacher, he was soon appointed Imam of the Suva Masjid, a position he held for more than four decades.
His Friday sermons and community lectures became a cornerstone of spiritual guidance for Muslims across Fiji. He emphasized unity, compassion, and steadfastness in faith. Despite facing financial hardship and delayed stipends, he never complained — continuing his mission quietly, sustained by unwavering trust in Allah.
Maulana’s humility was reflected in the poetry he often recited:
“You chose me for Your Deen though I was not worthy;
You brought me to Fiji, though I was not deserving.”
Educational Vision: Founding of Madrasah Nurul Islam
In 1973, Maulana Bashir established Madrasah Nurul Islam in Suva with the aim of providing structured Islamic education for Fijian Muslims. The Madrasah accommodated poor and rural students, offering free Qur’ans and textbooks. Graduates of this four-year program went on to become teachers, Imams, and community leaders across Fiji.
His dedication to both spiritual and academic excellence earned recognition from the Fiji Education Department, which acknowledged the Madrasah’s certificate for teaching appointments — a remarkable achievement in that era.
Community Leadership and Da’wah Work
Maulana Bashir’s vision extended far beyond Suva. As Chairman of the Suva Masjid and Ameer of Tablighi Jamaat in Fiji, he travelled across the islands to foster Islamic unity. He was instrumental in bringing the first Tabligh Jamaat from Zambia to Fiji in 1968, establishing a network of regular gatherings (ijtima’at) that continue to inspire Muslims to this day.
Under his leadership, a new Masjid was constructed in Suva in 1965, followed by the development of Islamic centers and quarters for Imams. He also played a pivotal role as Chairman of the Board of Islamic Affairs of the Fiji Muslim League for nearly 40 years.
Defender of Faith and Culture
In the 1980s, Maulana Bashir courageously confronted attempts to spread sectarian ideologies in Fiji, particularly during the rise of the Iranian Revolution. When Shi’a missionaries began influencing local Muslims, he investigated their teachings firsthand, returning to Fiji to educate the community on the preservation of Sunni beliefs. His efforts, with the support of other scholars, safeguarded the unity of Fijian Muslims.
Similarly, when a proposal emerged to remove Urdu language from Fiji Muslim schools in favor of local Fijian, Maulana Bashir took a principled stand. Through public lectures and written appeals, he emphasized Urdu’s role as the language of Islamic scholarship and South Asian Muslim heritage. His determined advocacy led to a reversal of the policy — ensuring Urdu’s continued presence in Muslim education across Fiji.
“A single day of a lion is better than a hundred years of a fox,”
he would often quote Sultan Tipu Shaheed, reminding Muslims to remain steadfast in their principles.
A Voice of Knowledge and Reform
Beyond teaching, Maulana Bashir actively promoted Islamic literature. He imported Urdu, Hindi, and English books from India and Pakistan, distributing them affordably or free to families. Through these efforts, many Fijian Muslims abandoned non-Islamic cultural practices and adopted Islamic modesty and etiquette.
His influence transformed homes, mosques, and schools — nurturing a generation of educated, practicing Muslims across the Pacific.
Family of Scholars
Maulana Bashir was blessed with a son, Br. Rashid Ahmad Diwan, a respected Islamic writer and educator. His English-language book “Basics of Muslim Worship” has been widely circulated and used in madrasahs globally. His grandsons — Maulana Muhammad Rayhaan Diwan and Mufti Muhammad Irshad Motara — both studied at Darul Uloom Azaadville, South Africa, continuing the family’s multi-generational tradition of Islamic scholarship.
Migration and Continued Service in New Zealand
After serving in Fiji for nearly half a century, Maulana Bashir migrated to New Zealand in 2002, joining his family amid political unrest in Fiji. Before leaving, he presented all accounts of Madrasah Nurul Islam to the Fiji Muslim League with complete transparency — a testament to his integrity.
Even after migration, Maulana did not rest. In New Zealand, he continued delivering sermons, teaching, and mentoring the Muslim community. He became the President of the Ulama Council of New Zealand (UCNZ) and conducted the first-ever completion of Al-Hidayah (a classical Hanafi jurisprudence text) in the country.
His influence extended to Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, where he delivered lectures in mosques and community gatherings during visits.
A Lifetime of Humility and Service
Throughout his life, Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan exemplified humility, patience, and selflessness. His work — from teaching Qur’an in a wooden masjid in Suva to advising scholars in New Zealand — stands as a model of how one individual’s dedication can transform communities across continents.
Today, many of Fiji’s imams, teachers, and da’wah workers trace their inspiration to his guidance. His legacy continues to shape the spiritual landscape of the Pacific Muslim community.
A Legacy Remembered
Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan’s journey is not only a chronicle of personal sacrifice but also a reflection of the resilience of Muslim communities in the Pacific. His name is synonymous with sincerity (ikhlas), steadfastness, and service.
As one of his students beautifully expressed:
“Hadhrat’s life reminds us that the light of knowledge, once kindled, can illuminate even the most distant shores.”
May Allah ? reward Maulana Bashir Ahmad Diwan Sahib (D.B.) for his lifelong service to Deen, grant him continued health and barakah, and enable future generations to follow in his noble footsteps. Ameen.
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