HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Birth
27 August 1864

Ancestors
Maulvi Ferozuddin's great grandfather was called Jiwahe Khan Sahib. He was Rajput and on accepting Islam was disowned by the entire Biradari (family). He found employment in Niaz Baig, Lahore and shifted there with his family.

His Grandparents
His paternal grandfather, Maulvi Najum-ud-din Sahib acted as Imam in a little mosque in Shera-Wala, the inner city of Lahore. He is buried near the mosque. The house he lived in was owned by a woman. One night, she dreamt that Maulvi Sahib was saying to her: "Bury me exactly where my charpai is when I die". The woman was upset because of this dream and came to see him. On arriving, she found out that he had died at four o'clock that morning. He was buried at the spot where his charpai had been. Later, his wife was buried next to him.

His Father
His father, Maulvi Jaan Muhammed had been a student of Mirza Akram Baig who was a highly educated and pious man. He was Hafiz-e-Quran and taught the Holy Quran to his students. Maulvi Jaan Muhammed's father Jiwahe Khan Sahib and his father Mian Imam Buksh were not formally educated. Formal education began in the family beginning from Jaan Muhammed. Although, Mian Imam Buksh was not formally educated, he was very strict about Saum-o-Salat and said congregational prayers at all times. He saw to his sons' education and made them all well read.

On his deathbed, Mirza Akram Baig asked Maulvi Jaan Muhammed to take over his responsibilites since in his eyes Maulvi Sahib had the potential to do so. Maulvi Sahib started teaching and earned his living in this way. He was a compassionate man and as time went on he started providing knowledge and education to his students free of charge. He was a strong patron of charity and always gave food and clothing to the deserving.

Maulvi Jaan Muhammed's brother Khalifa Buni Buksh had only one son, Muhammed Buksh. His son was widely known as "Kaaley Khan" due to his dark complexion. He was married to Maulvi Ferozuddin's sister Mehrunisa. The marriage unfortunately did not work out well, and soon after they were divorced.

On his deathbed, Maulvi Jaan Muhammed said: "Kal hamari badee sarkaar mein paishee hai." He passed away the next day. A month earlier, he had told his wife that his time was near. He had pointed to his elder son. Maulvi Fatehdin and said "Yeh Shaukeen Mizaaj hai", and then at the younger son, Maulvi Ferozuddin saying "Yeh abhi chota hai", "Per sub ka Allah Maalik hai".

This pre-monition about deaths is a common trait in the family. Maulvi Ferozuddin's son Muhammed Saeed was only fifteen when he died. He dreamt about his dead mother who had said to him that there was another place there with her and she had to take him with her and that she was helpless. When she had been alive, she herself had dreamt of a beautiful palace that someone told was hers but it had no steps going down and she had a feeling her end was near. She died soon after.

His Mother
His mother, Rahim Bibi was a very pious and kind lady. Her father chose to marry his daughter outside the quam (family, caste). This was the first time something like this ever occurred in the family. He took this step because Jaan Muhammed's family was very well read and educated and commanded respect from everyone.

His Elder Brother
His elder brother was Maulvi Fatehdin. On completion of his education, he worked as an interpreter at a post office. Soon after, he left his job because of the long duty hours. He took up work for a newspaper called "Kohinoor" for a while. Later on, he started his own newspaper called "Akhbaron ka Qiblah Gah". He worked as editor of the newspaper. He died early in his life on 7 September 1879, and Maulvi  Ferozuddin then took on the responsibility of managing the newspaper.