The Foundation of the Seminary

The circumstances in which the foundation of the madrasa was laid were such that the poisonous atmosphere of ignorance and darkness had so deeply affected Pratapgarh and its surrounding areas that not only villages but even towns and cities were deprived of the fragrance of religious knowledge and its blessings.

The scarcity of scholars and Huffaz was evident everywhere. Ignorance and lawlessness were at their peak. People were unaware of the means of a good life, the resources for the Hereafter, and avenues of welfare and well-being. The situation was so dire that at times, it was difficult to find someone to lead the funeral prayer.

If there happened to be any religious figure in the area, such as a Miyan Ji or Mulla Ji, they would come and conduct the funeral prayer. Witnessing these conditions, the zeal of Islam awakened in the hearts of some pious elders of the time. Their Islamic fervor and sense of honor were stirred, compelling them to rekindle the dimming light of Islam.

Among those noble figures who took on the responsibility of illuminating the silence of ignorance and darkness with the lamp of Islamic knowledge, Mujaddid-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yar Sahab Pratapgarhi (رحمہ الله) stands at the forefront. He was a distinguished disciple and close attendant of Sheikh-ul-Islam Hazrat Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani (رحمہ الله), authorized in both spiritual mentorship and discipleship, and held a distinguished position among his students.

To eradicate ignorance and darkness, he established not only this madrasa but also numerous other madrasas and makatib, bringing about a religious and reformative revolution among the Muslims of the region.

Following the instructions and guidance of his mentor, Sheikh-ul-Islam Hazrat Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani (رحمہ الله), Mujaddid-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yar Sahab (رحمہ الله) founded Jamia Rashidia in 1952 at Kachahari Masjid, Pratapgarh. Teaching and learning continued there for some time.

Thus, Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yar Sahab (رحمہ الله) moved the madrasa from there to Nagapur, near his village. Later, it was transferred from Nagapur to a village near Mujaddid-e-Millat’s home, where it was firmly established.

The wealthy individual of the village, Haji Jamshed Sahab, played a significant role in its construction. As the number of students increased, the madrasa and its mosque became insufficient. This led to the urgent need for a dedicated building where teachers and students could stay comfortably and where students could receive proper religious education and training under the supervision of teachers.

Later, with the unseen help of Allah Almighty, the madrasa continued to progress under the supervision of Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Amin Sahab, the eldest son of Mujaddid-e-Millat and the rector of Jamia Rashidia. As the number of students increased, space again became insufficient.

Through the noble efforts of Hazrat Qazi Sahab’s eldest son, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Faisal Sahab, two separate two-story buildings were constructed for the madrasa, and the mosque was also expanded.

Based on its founding year, the madrasa was initially named Madarsa Rashidia, but as its development progressed, it became known as Jamia Rashidia, attributed to Qutb-ul-Irshad, Imam Rabbani, Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (رحمہ الله), whose role in rectifying beliefs and propagating Islam in India was remarkable.

Since its establishment, this Jamia has been providing selfless and purely religious services for the sake of Allah alone. Within its walls, thousands of students have benefited from the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) and are now engaged in religious, moral, and reformative services within the country and beyond. Alhamdulillah!

This institution offers education in various sciences and disciplines, including: