Ibadat Khana E Hussaini, popular as Ibadat Khana, has been the quintessence and hub of almost all Ishna Ashari Shias’ religious activities. It is the first Shia Mosque to be built in Hyderabad during the Nizam era in 1883. Ever since it came into existence about 150 years ago, it got the status as a center or Markaz of the community. Despite various other mosques and centers coming up, the Ibadat Khana still maintains its position.
Ibadat Khana E Hussaini came into existence when no building could be built or purchased to construct a Shia Ishna Ashari Masjid. It is said that Moulana Hussaini Mian Qibla (R.A.) bought a small house on the road from Darulshifa to Balsetty Khaith in 1301 Hijri (1883), where Marhoom started Namaz and Majalis.
He passed on the mantle to his student Moulana Mir Kazim Ali Zaidi (R.A.), who served Ibadat Khana E Hussaini for a long time. Due to failing health and eyesight problems, he passed on the responsibility to his son Dr. Mir Ahmed Ali Zaidi and his brother-in-law (wife’s brother) Moulvi Syed Abbas Hussain and his pious student Moulana Mirza Bahadur Ali Sahab (R.A.), who had just turned 18.
Later on, with Moulvi Syed Abbas Hussain’s, Dr. Mir Ahmed Ali Zaidi and other Momineen’s contributions, various lands and houses in the vicinity were purchased and donated Ibadat Khan-e-Hussaini. This was made as a registered Waqf in 1953, and a team of Trustees was formed by Moulvi Syed Abbas Hussain and Dr. Mir Ahmed Ali Zaidi.
A house on the eastern side was purchased by the committee in 1972 when Moulvi Syed Sadiq Sahab was the President. The said house was let out for a long time, and the rent was given towards the upkeep of Ibadat Khana e Hussaini.
The first renovation and extension were done in 1978 due to the efforts of Moulvi Syed Taqi Hassan Wafa Sahab Qibla (R.A.), followed by the second renovation and extension in the year 1989 which resulted in the present form. The sincere efforts and services of Moulvi Syed Hashim Ali Marhoom cannot be forgotten. In 1989 when Moulvi Syed Kazim Sahab was the President of the committee, an open plot adjacent to the eastern house was donated by Imam-e-Zamana Mission. Further, in 2010, Al-Kausar Trust did the interior renovation. Janab Mir Hasnain Ali Khan constructed a new area for ablutions and Wuzu Khana.
A major revamp was taken up in the year 2019 when the whole structure was demolished, three new lands were added and a new structure was constructed. Janab Mir Hasnain Ali Khan donated two houses on the Western side and Janab Dr. Asad Sadiq donated a plot on the Nort-Western side.
The new structure was well planned and had provision for parking about 28 cars, a large Ladies’ hall, and a Men’s hall of 10500 square feet. The halls were constructed with PT technology and avoided pillars inside the hall.
Akhbari cult leader Mr. Waheeduddin Hyder who stalled the construction on some flimsy pretext of improper GHMC permissions has lost the case and the construction has resumed.
The history of Ibadat Khana E Hussaini will be incomplete without the mention of Syed Iftekhar Hussain Zaidi, better known as Sultan Bhai, as he has a unique distinction of being Muezzin (the one who recites the call to prayer) of Ibadat Khana – E Hussaini for almost 65 years till as such time that his health permitted. It seems there was a water tank in the courtyard from where he stood up and gave up his first Azaan. Due to less noise pollution during those days, the Azaan was heard as far as Dabeer Pura, Mata ki Khidki, etc. Besides being a Muezzin, he dedicated his entire life to Ibadat Khana E Hussaini. Due to his services, the community conferred him with the title of Bilal E Deccan. A function was also held to felicitate his 60 years of service to the Ibadat Khana E Hussaini.