Irshadullah Khan Baber to Abdus Salam Khan

From personal e-mail collection of late Uncle Abdus Salam Khan.

Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2015 15:12:03 +0200

From: irshadk2@gmail.com

Dear Uncle Abdus Salam Assalamu Alaikum

Yes, I have very good memories of Kakaji Yakub Khan. He was a very special person in my life.

When I arrived in England in September 1961 for studies at Cambridge, I stayed with him at the Woking mosque. He and Khalid Abdullah went with me by car to my College in Cambridge where the bed cover in my room was spread out on the floor for prayers led by him. Afterwards we went for tea at a restaurant in Cambridge before he left with Khalid Abdullah to return to Woking. I visited him at Woking several times on weekends and on occasions of Eid. On one of these occasions four of my best friends in Cambridge joined me on a visit to the mosque at Woking and met him. They were very impressed by his kindness and spirited defence of Islam.

Being a youth curious about the world around me I would sometimes offer him some of the controversial books I had just read. I remember having given him ”Thus Spake Zarathustra by Nietzsche” and ”For whom the bell tolls by Hemingway”. He would then give me his honest opinion which I always found very wise and useful. I persuaded the International Society in Cambridge to invite him for a talk on Islam. He came and gave a very beautiful talk and there was much discussion with the audience afterwards. He was very pleased to meet the grandson of Hasrat Mohani (a friend) at this talk. Afterwards he came to my room and we enjoyed some kababs which he liked very much.

I remember having a photograph taken alongside him by the son of the deposed Wali of Swat who was living in Woking at the time. He and Kakaji were very good friends and we often got invited for dinner at his house. I do not know if the photograph is still in my collection, but I would look for it when I visit Pakistan.

My mother has told me that when I was born Kakaji said the Azaan in my ear, which by the grace of Almighty Allah, became a very fortunate beginning of my life. When he was leaving for Pakistan finally, I was fortunate to be present at the Victoria Station in London and kiss him goodbye on his blessed hand.

Affectionately,

Irshadullah