In Conversation with Haji Abdul Habib Attari Madani

In conversation with Haji Abdul Habib Attari Madani

Khalid Attari: You lead many departments of Dawat-e-Islami. Do you ask for the departments yourself?

Abdul Habib Attari: In Dawat-e-Islami, departmental responsibilities are not given upon request. I am not the only one who serves many departments, rather, many members of the Central Executive Committee (Shura) lead multiple departments. As the member who proposes a certain department will usually have a thorough plan prepared, the Shura typically appoints the department to that member. Anyhow, this is my wish, and I always say this too that if there is any difficult task, give it to me, and give the rest of the easy tasks to others.

Khalid Attari: Please tell us about your first responsibility in Dawat-e-Islami and the first responsibility at the Shura level?

Abdul Habib Attari: I was first made a Zayli Nigran in Dawat-e-Islami. When the overseas department was newly established, I was made responsible for seven or eight countries including India, America, and Saudi Arabia. Consulting with them, checking their emails, solving their issues as well as travelling to different countries was a part of my responsibility. This was my first responsibility in Madani markaz.

After that, I was entrusted with the responsibility of Jami’aat-ul-Madinah branches across Pakistan. This was a challenging period for me. I visited the whole of Pakistan and saw many cities for the first time. The one travelling abroad was now going to Lodhran and Gujranwala too. I visited the seminaries, dealt with complaints from the student body, resolved internal conflicts between staff, and managed the seminaries’ development.

Then in September 2009, when I gained the privilege of being selected to the Shura, I was in the illuminating atmosphere of Madinah Sharif. My phone was inundated with congratulatory messages. My appointment was announced at the same time as Haji Ameen Qafilah and possibly Rafi Bhai. I sent a lengthy email to Nigran-e-Shura explaining my unworthiness for the role. He replied that, ‘We did not consult you regarding this responsibility either!’ I was made the Nigran of the overseas department and the Shura member responsible for Jami’aat-ul-Madinah. This was my first responsibility as a member of the Shura.

Mahroz Attari: I have seen that Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat speaks openly to you, what is the reason for this?

Abdul Habib Attari: I consider this the kindness of Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat; (after pondering, he said that) perhaps the reason for this is that my childhood was spent in front of Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat,  and Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat stayed at our home for 9 months, and it was there that he authored his renowned book on Hajj, ‘Rafeeq-ul-Haramayn.’

Khalid Attari: Do you have any particular memories from Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat’s stay in your home?

Abdul Habib Attari: That was around 1990 when my siblings and I were very young. If there was even a small disagreement, we would ask Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat to resolve it, and he would rectify us. Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat never even complained once that he was being disturbed because of the children. He showed us a lot of love and affection, never expressed displeasure, and showered us with constant du’as.   

Khalid Attari: You lead 17 departments; because of this heavy workload, do you ever feel irritated or get angry?

Abdul Habib Attari: We shouldn’t get angry. If the workload is too much, ask your seniors to reduce the workload as it is unmanageable for you. For you to hold a position of responsibility and hurt people at the same time is not allowed. Reduce your work, but don't make excuses that you have a heavy workload and that’s why I scold people, I have a lot of pressure on me and hence I become irritated. Anyhow, I don’t recall it being the case, but perhaps I too may become irritated. So I apologis to everyone if I have ever hurt anyone’s heart or uttered a harsh sentence. Please forgive me for the sake of Allah Almighty. I am a human and humans err.

Mahroz Attari: I will name a few members of the Shura. You are to describe them in one sentence:

Mahroz Attari: If you could lead only 3 departments, which ones would they be?

Abdul Habib Attari (taking a long breath):  It's a very difficult question, (he pondered for a while and then said), I think I should like to keep the departments with more complexities: Ijarah (HR) Majlis, Overseas Majlis, and Madani Channel. These three departments are vast and challenging. 

Mahroz Attari: You were doing a great job in many departments in the past and then they were taken from you, what were your feelings and sentiments at that time?  

Abdul Habib Attari:  No sorrow and no regret. After receiving a department in Dawat-e-Islami, neither do we get a vehicle, nor an allowance or a protocol, so what is there to grieve over when the department is taken back? Yes, consultation is carried out. After all, the one who builds a road does not sit on the road after constructing it; he makes a path for others and then starts constructing a road elsewhere. After constructing a building, people give the key to the owner and set out to build a new one.  

Mahroz Attari: How do you improve your work?

Abdul Habib Attari: Consider a few things: Firstly, Get someone to do what you want him to do and prevent him from doing what you do not want him to do. If you say that I will tell you, I will see later, or ask after a few days, these things will impede your work. Secondly, I try to answer all my messages, emails, etc. before going to bed. I suggest that if you want to display the best management, then lead by example and reply promptly. Thirdly, stay in touch with your subordinates. I have a simple theory: If I reply to these seventeen nigrans day and night, they will work with the confidence that if they get stuck, their nigran will resolve their issue. This trust drives them to work efficiently.

Khalid Attari:  State your likes and dislikes in one sentence: