His association with the Aligarh University was deeply rooted due to his father, Nawab M. Ishak Khan, who had served the institution with passion
and devotion as its Trustee and Secretary when it was the M.A.O. College.
When M. Ismail Khan returned from England, after becoming a barrister at law,
Nawab M. Ishak Khan arranged for him to
commence his legal practice as assistant lawyer to Pundit Motilal Nehru-- who prevailed upon Nawab M. Ishak Khan to permit his son to stay with him as his guest.