Jump to content

Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sheikh al-Hadith
Mawlānā
Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi
محمد عبد اللہ غازی
Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi in c. 1983
1st Chancellor of Jamia Faridia
In office
1971 – 17 October 1998
Preceded byNone (office created)
Succeeded byAbdul Aziz Ghazi
Chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
In office
1975 – 17 October 1998
Succeeded byMuneeb-ur-Rehman
Imam and Khatib of Lal Masjid
In office
1967 – 17 October 1998
Preceded byNone (office created)
Succeeded byAbdul Aziz Ghazi (Imam)
Abdul Rashid Ghazi (Khatib)
Federal Khatib of Islamabad
In office
1993 – 17 October 1998
Preceded byNone (office created)
Succeeded byVacant
Personal life
Born(1935-06-01)1 June 1935
(c. 29th Safar 1354 AH)
Basti-Abdullah, Balochistan, British Raj
Died17 October 1998(1998-10-17) (aged 63)(c. 26th Jumada al-Thani 1419 AH)
Lal Masjid, Islamabad, Pakistan
Cause of deathAssassination
Resting placeJamia Faridia, Islamabad
33.7311462, 73.0517133
NationalityPakistani
Home townBasti-Abdullah, Rajanpur
ChildrenAbdul Aziz Ghazi
Abdul Rashid Ghazi
Citizenship British Indian (1935–1947)
Pakistani (1947–1998)
Alma materJamia Uloom-ul-Islamia
Jamia Qasim-ul-Uloom
Signaturemaulana abdullah
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
JurisprudenceHanafi
MovementDeobandi
Muslim leader
Teacher

Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi (Urdu: محمد عبد اللہ غازی c. 1 June 1935 – 17 October 1998) was a Pakistani Deobandi Islamic scholar, theologian of the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, and a Religio-political figure who held several key positions, including the Chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the first Imam and Khatib of Lal Masjid in Islamabad, the Chancellor of Jamia Faridia and Jamia Hafsa, the Patron-in-Chief of Wifaq Al Madaris Al Arabiyah and Jamia Mohammadia, the President of Jamiat Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, member of both the Council of Islamic Ideology and Majlis-i-Shura during the Presidency of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and as Federal Khatib under President Farooq Leghari in the 29th and 36th Cabinet of Pakistan.[1]

Ghazi was an alumnus of Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia and was personally appointed by President Ayub Khan to serve as the first Imam and Khatib of Central Mosque Islamabad (Lal Masjid), the first mosque established in Pakistan's new capital, Islamabad.[2]

Ghazi was a close associate of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the sixth President of Pakistan, and served as one of his key advisors on religious affairs. He played a significant role in the establishment of Pakistan's Zakat Councils and contributed to the drafting of the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance of 1980.[3]

He was a senior member of Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz Khatm-e-Nubuwwat and was the founder and chairman of Idara Alia Tanzeem ul Madaris.[4][5]

In 1971, he founded Jamia Faridia in Islamabad, the first Islamic seminary to be established in Islamabad. He taught the Kutub al-Sitta including Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī at the madrasah, and was well known by the title "Shaykh al-Hadith".[4]

Early life and education

[edit]

Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi was born on 1 June 1935 (29th Safar 1354 AH) during the British Raj in the village of Basti-Abdullah, Rajanpur District into the family of Ghazi Muhammad descending from the Sadwani (Sodvani) clan of the Mazari tribe of Baluchistan.[6] a part of Baloch diaspora who migrated to Punjab from Baluchistan.[7]

His father, a farmer, was socially active in the village. Due to his activities, he faced multiple arrests by the British Indian authorities and was eventually sentenced to eight years in prison.[8] During his imprisonment, he became more religious and encouraged his son to attend a local madrassa.[9]

In 1946, Ghazi began his religious education at Madrasa Khudam-ul-Qur'an in Rahim Yar Khan, where he completed the Hifz (memorization of the Quran).[4]

In 1948, after completing his primary education, Ghazi enrolled at Jamia Qasim Ul Uloom in Multan for further education, where he studied for 5 years and was a student of Mufti Mehmood.[4]

Afterward, he enrolled at Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia in Karachi, where he completed the Dars-i Nizami curriculum and graduated in 1957 as one of the top students of Muhammad Yousuf Banuri.[9]

After graduating, he served as the imam of Jamia Masjid Rashidiya in Malir Town for several years.[4] During this time, he was also a member of the advisory committee for Bayyināt, a monthly journal published by Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia.[4]

Lal Masjid

[edit]
Main article: Lal Masjid, Islamabad

When the Capital of Pakistan was moved from Karachi to Islamabad, and the first congregational mosque (Lal Masjid) was established, Ghazi became its first sermon preacher in 1967 upon the recommendation of his teacher Muhammad Yousuf Banuri.[9]

Ghazi's sermons drew in thousands of worshippers including prominent political figures such as Prime Minister Balakh Sher Mazari and Presidents of Pakistan including Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Farooq Leghari as well as General Zia-ul-Haq who was a regular visitor to the mosque as before the completion of the Faisal Mosque, The Lal Masjid had been the only main congregational mosque in the city.[10] Located in a very central position, the mosque lies in close proximity to the Presidential Palace and Prime Minister's Office.[11]

Lal Masjid in 1970s

In 1974, He played a key role in mobilizing support for the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Khatm-e-Nubuwwat, and the mosque became the center of meetings and processions of the movement. the leaders of the movement, Mufti Mahmood and Allama Yusuf Banuri were both Ghazi's teachers. this movement led to the Second Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.[12]

In 1976, as part of his six day state visit to Pakistan, King Khalid of Saudi Arabia also visited the Lal Masjid in Islamabad, where he prayed behind Ghazi,[13] and it was during this visit he initiated the construction of King Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and toured the nearby seminary, Jamia Faridia.[14]

Idara Alia Tanzeem ul Madaris

[edit]

Ghazi played a significant role in establishing and supporting mosques and madrasas across the country.[13]

In 1970, he founded the Idara Alia Tanzeem ul Madaris (Urdu: ادارہ عالیہ تنظیم المدارس), an organization dedicated to securing land for the construction of mosques and religious institutions, and served as its first chairman. His efforts focused on both rural and urban areas, including the construction of the Grand Mosque of Kalur Kot and several mosques within Islamabad.[15]

In 1988, he co-founded Jamia Mohammadia alongside Maulana Zahoor Ahmed Alvi, a close associate. The seminary is the second-largest madrasa in Islamabad, He served as the institution's first patron-in-chief.[16]

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee

[edit]

In 1975, He was appointed as the first chairman of the newly established Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, a government body operating under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, responsible for announcing the sighting of the new moon, which determines the Islamic calendar and Islamic holidays.[17]

Ghazi served in this position until his death, after which he was succeeded by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.[3]

Tehreek Nizam-e-Mustafa

[edit]

In 1977, Ghazi played a significant role in the "Nizam-e-Mustafa" movement, a populist Islamist campaign aimed at replacing the secular and socialist government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with an Islamic system of governance in Pakistan.[18]

Wifaq-ul-Madaris

[edit]

In 1979, Ghazi was appointed as the Patron-in-Chief of Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Arabia, and as the regional supervisor for all madrassas registered under the educational board in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.[19]

Ghazi played a key role in establishing Jamiat Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, an organization representing the ulema of the twin cities. The group aimed to raise awareness and advocate for issues concerning madaris (Islamic seminaries). Ghazi served as its first president before being succeeded by his deputy and close associate, Maulana Zahoor Ahmed Alvi.[16]

Majlis al-Shura

[edit]
Maulana Abdullah and General Zia-ul-Haq at Lal Masjid during Friday prayer

In 1981, President Zia-ul-Haq established the an advisory council to the president (1981 Majlis-e-Shoora), Members of the Shura were appointed directly by Zia, who personally selected Ghazi as one of his chief advisors on religious affairs.[15]

1980 Zakat ordinance

[edit]

Ghazi played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan's Zakat Councils and contributed to drafting the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance of 1980.[20][21]

The ordinance was officially promulgated by President Zia-ul-Haq during a ceremony at Lal Masjid in June 1980.[22][23]

Establishing Jamia Faridia

[edit]
Main article: Jamia Faridia

In 1966, He established a small seminary at Lal Masjid, in which there were about 20 to 25 students for the Hifz class. After some time a need was felt to have a bigger place for running this seminary so that a large number of students who were increasing with the passage of time could be accommodated.[24]

View of Jamia Faridia (Left) and Faisal Mosque from Daman-e-Koh, Islamabad
Ghazi during a lecture at Jamia Faridia, 1992

Hence In 1971, a place in the meadows of the Margalla Hills in the city's Prime Sector of E-7, was acquired by Ghazi's Idara Alia Tanzeem ul Madaris with the help and cooperation of several of his close friends most notably Seth Haroon Jaffer (Jaffer Group of Companies), Haji Akhtar Hassan (OSD Kashmir Affairs & Finance Secretary of Azad Kashmir), and Admiral Mohammad. Shariff, NI(M), HJ (Rtd).[4]

The construction of the seminary's present building was completed in 1984 and was officially named "Jamia Faridia".[25]

The seminary was the first ever educational institute to be registered with Wifaq-ul-Madaris.[25]

Faisal Mosque

[edit]

In 1986, following the completion of the Faisal Mosque, President Zia-ul-Haq invited Ghazi to serve as the mosque's first imam.[26][27]

Ghazi declined the offer, choosing instead to continue his role as the Imam and Khatib of Lal Masjid, where he had already established himself as a prominent religious leader and had a significant following.[8][28] Despite refusing the permanent position, Ghazi did lead the inaugural prayer at the newly constructed mosque on 18 June 1988.[29]

Establishing Jamia Hafsa

[edit]
Main article: Jamia Hafsa

In 1992, he laid the foundation for Jamia Syeda Hafsa, as the women's branch of Jamia Faridia. Located adjacent to the Lal Masjid near Aabpara,[30] the institution was built on 7,500 square yards of land.[31]

The seminary is the largest women's madrasa in Pakistan.[32]

Federal Khatib

[edit]

In 1993, During the Second Benazir Bhutto government, President Farooq Leghari appointed Ghazi as the Federal (Wifaqi) Khatib of Islamabad, a government position under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamabad Auqaf Department equivalent to that of the Additional Secretary of the Federal Government, which was established to supervise the mosques within the capital city.[13][33][34]

Ghazi continued to serve in this position during the Second Nawaz Sharif government.[35]

Afghanistan Tour

[edit]

In 1997, Ghazi, along with a delegation of Deobandi scholars, was invited as a state guests by Afghanistan's Supreme Leader, Mullah Omar.[9]

During his visit, Ghazi toured several Deobandi madrasas in Kabul and held a meeting with Mullah Omar, Osama bin Laden, and Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kandahar.[36]

Assassination and legacy

[edit]

His biographer, Mufti Riaz Munsoor, wrote extensively about his daily routine. According to Mansoor, Ghazi had a strict schedule that he followed every day. He would walk seven kilometers from his home to his seminary, Jamia Faridia, where he would give lectures to his students. on his way back, he would stop at the Polyclinic Hospital to bless the patients and offer them words of encouragement.[4]

Grave of Ghazi at Jamia Faridia

On October 17, 1998, the day of his assassination, Ghazi maintained his usual routine. He walked to Jamia Faridia to deliver lectures to his students and later stopped at a hospital on his way back. As he approached Lal Masjid, a man was waiting for him in the courtyard. The assailant greeted Ghazi before suddenly drawing a gun and firing an entire magazine at him.[37] The assassin escaped with the aid of accomplices waiting in a getaway car.[36]

Severely wounded, Ghazi succumbed to his injuries on the way to the same hospital he had visited earlier. Despite being aware of threats against his life, he had consistently refused bodyguards, believing it was better to die alone than endanger others.[9]

Ghazi and his teacher Yousuf Banuri's name written outside Jamia Faridia

He is buried in the courtyard of Jamia Faridia, Islamabad.[9]

The President of Pakistan Rafiq Tarar expressed his sadness over the assassination in a letter, adding that "Maulana Abdullah Ghazi had spent his whole life for Islam, and kept the tradition of Ulema alive, his struggles will forever be remembered".[38]

Jamia Masjid Abdullah Ghazi (Urdu: جامع مسجد عبد اللہ غازی) in Sector E-7 of Islamabad is named after him.[39]

In his honor his hometown was also renamed "Basti-Abdullah" and a new seminary named after him was also constructed there, the town gained worldwide attention in 2007 when Abdul Rashid Ghazi was buried in the courtyard of the seminary,[40]

Abdullah Railway Station near the town is also named after him.[41]

Investigation

[edit]

Due to a lack of confidence in Pakistan's legal system, Abdul Aziz, the elder son of Ghazi, initially declined to file a First Information Report (FIR). However, his younger son, Abdul Rashid, proceeded to file the FIR, prompting a police investigation into the case. After persistent efforts, a suspect was arrested and subsequently identified by an eyewitness during an identification parade.[42]

Despite this, the suspect was inexplicably released the following day. Abdul Rashid protested the release, warning the authorities that he would pursue legal action if the suspect was not promptly re-arrested. As pressure mounted, he reportedly faced threats, including a warning to withdraw the case or risk suffering a fate similar to that of his father. According to those close to him, this experience marked a turning point in Abdul Rashid Ghazi’s life, leading to his disillusionment with the legal system.[43][44]

Memoir

[edit]

In 2005, a memoir was published by Maktaba Faridia detailing his life under the name Hayat Shaheed E Islam (Urdu: حیات شہیدِ اسلام) Written by Mufti Riaz Munsoor.[4]

See more

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dolnik, Adam (2015). Negotiating the Siege of the Lal Masjid. Oxford University Press. p. 53.
  2. ^ Kapur, Saloni (2021). Pakistan after Trump: Great Power Responsibility in a Multi-Polar World. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 187.
  3. ^ a b Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہیدِ اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 108.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہیدِ اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 57.
  5. ^ "تحفظ ختمِ نبوت کی تاریخ ساز تحریک". GEO TV News website. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Lal Masjid at 40 | Special Report | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  7. ^ Qandeel Siddique, The Red Mosque Operation and Its Impact On the Growth of the Pakistani Taliban, report for Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), p. 13. Link.
  8. ^ a b "Lal Masjid: a history". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "شہیداسلام مولانا عبداللہ شہید شخصیت و کردار۔۔۔تحریر مولاناتنویراحمداعوان". Shaffak (in Urdu). 18 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  10. ^ Dolnik, Adam (2015). Negotiating the Siege of the Lal Masjid. Oxford University Press. p. 53.
  11. ^ Khan, Zia (15 August 2010). "Crimson tide". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  12. ^ Mufti Khalid Mahmood (7 September 2019). "7 ستمبر 1974ء 'یومِ تحفظ ختمِ نبوت'". Jang Daily (Urdu newspaper). Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہیدِ اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 236.
  14. ^ Mujtaba Razvi (1981). "PAK-Saudi Arabian Relations: An Example of Entente Cordiale". Pakistan Horizon. 34 (1): 81–92. JSTOR 41393647.
  15. ^ a b Dolnik, Adam (2015). Negotiating the Siege of the Lal Masjid. Oxford University Press. p. 53.
  16. ^ a b "تعارف - Jamia Muhammadia, F-6/4, Islamabad. (Urdu)" (in Urdu). 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  17. ^ "New Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman appointed". The News International. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  18. ^ Janjua, Simran Saeed; Malik, Mishaal; Malik, Simran Saeed Janjua and Mishaal (12 July 2024). "Miscalculation or Inevitable? The Lal Masjid Siege and its Legacy". South Asia Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Profile of Wifaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia, Pakistan". 23 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Zakat Ordinance 1980. Chapter No 1 PREMINIARY" (PDF). Central Despository Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  21. ^ Mohiuddin, Yasmeen Niaz (2007). Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook. ABC-CLIO. p. 110. ISBN 9781851098019. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  22. ^ Administration (June 2003). "Islamization Under General Zia-ul-Haq". June 1, 2003. The Story of Pakistan: The Rules of Democracy. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  23. ^ Salim, Arskal (2008). Challenging the Secular State: The Islamization of Law in Modern Indonesia. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 117-119. ISBN 9780824832377. Retrieved 3 December 2014. zakat pakistan.
  24. ^ "Lal Masjid: a history". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  25. ^ a b "عالم اسلام کی عظیم دینی درسگاہ جامعہ فریدیہ". Nawaiwaqt (in Urdu). 29 May 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  26. ^ Talbot, Ian (1998). Pakistan, a Modern History. NY: St.Martin's Press. pp. 283. ISBN 9780312216061.
  27. ^ Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہید ای اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 68.
  28. ^ Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہید ای اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 68.
  29. ^ "Faisal Mosque". archnet.org. ArchNet website. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  30. ^ "Lal Masjid: a history". The News International. 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  31. ^ Malik, Hasnaat (25 August 2016). "Jamia Hafsa rebuilding: Govt presents relocation agreement before SC". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Lal Masjid at 40 | Special Report | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  33. ^ LaPorte, Robert (1997). "Pakistan in 1996: Starting Over Again". Asian Survey. 37 (2): 118–125. doi:10.2307/2645477. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2645477.
  34. ^ "مولانا محمد عبد اللہ شہیدؒ | ابوعمار زاہد الراشدی". zahidrashdi.org. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  35. ^ Lal Masjid : A Brief History.
  36. ^ a b Janjua, Simran Saeed; Malik, Mishaal; Malik, Simran Saeed Janjua and Mishaal (12 July 2024). "Miscalculation or Inevitable? The Lal Masjid Siege and its Legacy". South Asia Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  37. ^ Lal Masjid : A Brief History.
  38. ^ الفریدیہ, جامعۃ العلوم الاسلامیہ. "تصاویر مولانا محمد عبد اللہ شہید – جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia". تصاویر مولانا محمد عبد اللہ شہید – جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  39. ^ الفریدیہ, جامعۃ العلوم الاسلامیہ. "تعارفِ جامعہ فریدیہ - جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia". تعارفِ جامعہ فریدیہ - جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia (in Urdu). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  40. ^ "Rashid Ghazi buried as Aziz vows to continue struggle". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  41. ^ Iqbal, Nasir (12 July 2007). "Burial after arrival of relatives: SC". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  42. ^ Paracha, Nadeem F. (3 November 2013). "Red handed". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Islamabad Red Mosque Cleric Killed"[usurped] Pakistan Times, 11 July 2007, retrieved 27 July 2009
  44. ^ Michelle Shephard (9 July 2007), "Mosque crisis highlights Pakistan's turmoil", The Star. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammad_Abdullah_Ghazi&oldid=1303888836"