Darul Uloom Deoband was established as a Madrasa and generally it is known as the same. But, in view of its system and network it is a Jamia (university) and in view of its results and history it is more than that. Therefore, it is next to impossible that al the activities are carried out by some offices. Thus, Darul Uloom Deoband has set up 32 departments and offices which are ardently busy in tasks assigned to them.
Daftar-e-Ihtimam (Vice Chancellor Office)
This department is the axis around which all the activities of Darul Uloom evolve. It supervises all the departments, takes necessary steps on application ns and reports of the departments, implements the proposals of Majlise Shura (Advisory Board) and Majlise Aamilah (Working Committee) as it communicates with the outside world and takes necessary action if required. This department is directly answerable to the Advisory Board. It is headed by the Mohtamim of Darul Uloom.
Ta’limaat (Faculty of Education)
Talimat (Faculty of Education) undertakes all educational activities, so naturally it is the second largest department of Darul Uloom. All the educational departments work under the supervision of this very department. (For details, see: Education Dept.)
Here are some details regarding the Administrative Offices and Depts.
Muhaasibi (Account Dept.)
It is the most sensitive department of Darul Uloom. It looks in to all accounts of income and expenditure. The department undertakes to check all the bill, pay them and deals with the banks, distributes scholarship to the students. Al-hamdulillah, this department with other characteristics of Darul Uloom is an exemplary in transparency of the accounts that is admired by experts of every age. It prepares the budget of Darul Uloom and tries to limit it within boundaries. No amount of money is taken without giving a receipt and no money is given without a voucher.
Muhafiz Khanah (Archives Dept.)
This department is also one of the many characteristics of Darul Uloom. It treasures all the historical records of Darul Uloom. The present building dates back to 1356 (1937). This department is responsible to protect and codify every record of Darul Uloom. Besides, it provides paper, pen and stationary to each and every department of Darul Uloom. Thus, it prints the registers, receipts and other necessary articles and provides them to the concerned departments.
Darul Iqamah (Hostel Office)
This department manages the student hostels, allots them seats, issues railway concessions, identity and ration cards for students and deals with their affairs. The Hostel office appoints security guards for Darul Uloom. Beside the head of the department, ten teachers of Darul Uloom manage the hostel system. This department arranges seats for about 2500 students.
Kutub Khanah (Library)
Library is considered like a backbone of any educational and academic institute. Therefore, Darul Uloom paid special attention to collect books. To begin with, some books were borrowed, later Darul Uloom appealed to the Muslims to extend help in this regard. This appeal was widely answered. Some gifted their books to Darul Uloom while many provided money for purchasing books. Thus, a grand library came in to being. Now, Al-hamdu-lillah, also people are offering generous help to collect books.
The library of Darul Uloom has a unique collection of about two hundred thousand books, which include variety of syllabus, and non-syllabus books in 25 languages and 100 subjects. This was enough to count the Library of Darul Uloom one of the grand libraries of the Indian subcontinent. But besides, the library enjoys a matchless collection of manuscripts and rare books many of them can never be found anywhere else.
The library provides opportunity to the teachers and students of Darul Uloom to benefit in daytime and after Maghrib prayer. Moreover, it offers full cooperation to the research scholars coming to Darul Uloom. One portion of the library is dedicated for the works and books of Boys of Darul Uloom Deoband, which is center of attraction for research scholars.
It is a bird’s eye view on the library; otherwise the detail requires volumes to describe. Only the manuscripts have been introduced in two thick printed volumes. With the advancement of Darul Uloom the existing library building has fallen short due to increasing number of students and mounting bulk of new books. Therefore, the old structure which was built in 1325 (1908) had developed dilapidated and insufficient. It is felt that the library should be modernized and developed so that the beneficiaries get more help. Therefore, a plan is underway to erect an outstanding library that is equipped with all modern facilities.
Ta’meeraat (Construction Dept.)
This department aims at constructing new buildings, repairing old ones and decorating. Therefore, naturally this department is very active. During the past 17 years, this department has demonstrated tremendous performance. A number of new buildings were erected and especially ‘Jame’i Rashid’ which is the master piece of modern Islamic architect and construction.
Barqiyaat (Electricity Dept.)
The department of electricity arranges power supply to the offices, mosques, classrooms, passages and hostels. It also, supplies water to the said places and looks after Darul Uloom motors vehicles, reparation, and drivers.
Tanzim-o-Traqqi (Management & Development Dept.)
It will not be out of place to say that important department is public relation center. This department collects donations and grains for Darul Uloom. Presently, the department has 38 Safeers (donation collectors) and 2 public relations officers. This department was established in 1355 H (1936).
Tanzim-o-Traqqi Mumbai Branch: This office works as a branch of the Tanzim-o-Traqqi in Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. It aims to maintain public relation and collect donations for Darul Uloom Deoband.
Awqaaf (Endowments Dept.)
This department has been set up to protect the Waqf (endowed) and owned property of Darul Uloom. It receives payments from tenants and deals with related matters.
Mehmaan Khanah (Guest House)
The visitors appreciate the system of the guesthouse and express feelings of love to Darul Uloom. The number of guests who visited Darul Uloom last year reached up to seven thousands. The guests included foreign diplomats, government officers, media persons, authorities of madrasas and intellectuals. The guest house looks after them and arranges lodge and food for them.
Matbakh (Mess)
After the establishment of Darul Uloom, it was custom for forty years that some students used to get food from the people of Deoband while some students were given scholarship and they used to arrange food for themselves. This system was harmful for their study; therefore, a kitchen was set up in 1328 H (1910). To begin with, the kitchen used to arrange food of 25-30 students and now it prepares the food for four thousand people. There are 40 employees in this department who prepare food, provide necessary articles, maintain records of students getting food from the Mess.
Maktaba Darul Uloom (Book Depot)
Maktaba Darul Uloom is a publication centre which publishes books on various Islamic topics. So far, it has published more than 100 precious books along with Fatawa Darul Uloom in 18 volumes.
Azmat Hospital
Azmat Hospital provides medicine to the students and others at nominal fees. It gives 4-day dose in only one rupee to the students and 1-day dose to others in two rupees. The hospital is very helpful for the students as well as the needy. It provides both allopathic and Unani medicines to the patients. In 1424 H (2003-04) 1,16,579 patients profited from the hospital.
Computer for Composing
Arabic Monthly ‘Al-Daie’, Urdu monthly Darul Uloom and the other official matters are composed in this department.
Kharidari (Purchase Dept.)
This office manages all types of purchase and sale of Darul Uloom Deoband.
Stockroom
This office manages all stocks and dispense them according to the need with the permission of higher authorities.
Makatib Islamia (Islamic Seminaries)
Under this office, some maktabs (Islamic seminaries) are run in Deoband town and in Haryana and Punjab. Darul Uloom pays the salary of the teachers and looks after their necessities.
Safai-wa-Chamanbandi (Cleanliness & Garden Maintenance Dept.)
Cleanliness is greatly stressed in Islam. Therefore, Darul Uloom, from its inception had paid special attention to it. For this purpose, this department has been established. The department also maintains and takes care of the gardens, which Darul Uloom has grown in the campus.