Haḍrat Mawlānā Muḥammad Maẓhar Nānotvi is looked upon as the actual founder of the institute Maẓāhir al-ʿUlūm, Saharanpur. It was a well-known fact that if anyone visited him for a personal visit while he was busy teaching and spoke to him, he very particular in noting the time that went into the meeting. He used to write the number of minutes down and take note of it, calculate it at the end of the month. If by then it all equalled up to less than half a day, he would subtract half a day from his monthly salary [as it constituted to unpaid leave of absence]. If it amounted to more than half a day, one day was subtracted. For this day or half a day, the salary would be deducted accordingly.

On the other hand, if it so happened that during madrasā (Islamic seminary) hours, someone came to ask a fatwa or if any time went into madrasā (Islamic seminary) work, it was not subtracted.

(Āap Bītī)

Categories: Memorable Episodes from the Lives of the ʿUlamā of Deoband