Dr Israr Ahmad

NAK's teacher Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) for 40 years places Hazrat (Maulana) Shaykhul-Hind (RA)'s Tafseer in the front and just reads from it!

The entire Pakistan for decades have been watching the same scene every Ramadhan on live TV and him keep saying "Shaykhul-Hind (RA)  yey Kehtay Hain (Shaykhul-Hind (RA)  says this)..."

Many in Pakistan learned the word Shaykhul-Hind from his Tafseer because he reads from it but askimam know better by misuqoting the first page of his Tafseer :P

Here is a sample of "Tafseer" which isn't Tafseer, take the time to listen to see what he is actually doing!

1. I wish that Shaykh (Mufti) Ebraheem Desai (HA) and askimam would google before giving a Fatwa and actually research ;
2. I wish people would actually listen and watch before issuing Fatwaas

Shaykh (Maulana) Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) told me that his relative made him sit through 2 1/2 hours of Video Tafseer to check if Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) was wrong and Hazrat (RA) said, "Muadh, you can always disagree but I DID NOT find anything majorly objectionable and THEN I read the Fatwaas of our Ulamah on him in detail and his responses and this man is not Had-Dharam (stubborn), all his life he contacted Deobandi Ulamah and he wrote to them and responded to them.

Shaykh (Maulana) Marghoob Ahmed Lajpuri (HA) said I DON'T WATCH TV but I was made to watch his Tafseer so I can check if any major mistakes can be picked up.

P.S: Me like many my age heard Shaykhul-Hind before we even knew what Deobandi was!
 

Asslamo Allaikum Brother in Islam,

You are perhaps guilty of the same research as askimam. The whole story of Dr Israr Ahmed (RA)'s absorbtion with the Qur'aan is given in دعوت رجوع الی القرآن کا منظر و پس منظر view inline

Fot those who don't know Urdu, here is a Summary:

1. As far as Rabt (connection) between Surahs and verses he gets it from the writings of Shaykh (Maulana) Hamiduddin farahi (RA) and you will find the opinion of Ulamah on it by clicking on link. He doesn't pull it out of his back pokcet
2. As far as Qur'aan is concenred his fascinations did indeed started with reading the Tafseer of Maulana Maududi (RA) but his education started with Shaykhul-Hind's and Allamah Shabbir Ahmed Usmani (RA)'s Tafseer from 1952 onwards and he clearly says that his connection with the Salaf was established because of these 2 Akabireen (see page 7 of the book دعوت رجوع الی القرآن کا منظر و پس منظر) view inline view inline
3. Then while staying in Karachi he studies the ENTIRE Tafseer Baydawi from Maulana Iftikhar Ahmed Balkhi (RA) and he is the same Maulana who wrote the famous work refuting Hadeeth Rejectors recommended by Darul-uloom Binori town Karachi. This study under him was LESSON BY LESSON and not a casual attendance and listening to talks (see page 8 of the book دعوت رجوع الی القرآن کا منظر و پس منظر) view inline view inline

You will NEVER agree with him because he is not a Deobandi and I accept it but I suggest that you actually read and do proper research before condemning someone OR merely admit that he isn't a Deobandi and I don't care and move on and that's fine.

Jazakallahu Khayran

P.S: NAK is merely one of the students from many of the institute Anjuman Khudamul-Qur'aan by DR Israr Ahmed (RA) and NAK is actually a child compared to all the other ones...

Sister Shagufta captured his zeal for Khilafah but Dr Israr Ahmed Saheb (HA) used to say that the real deal is the Anjuman Khudamul-Qur'aan (Academy of the servants of the Qur'aan) and it does came across in his Interview.

Personally I owe my Islamic life to 3:

1. Tableeghi Jamaat: They took me from the streets and brought me to Islam
2. Dr Israr Ahmed (RA): From childhood he was the intellectual and Academic powerhouse and remains to this day. There isn't a Fitnah in the Ummah which he hasn't addressed or commened upon. Whenever you feel despressed or dejected, listen to him
3. Mashaykh of Deoband: Spiritual upliftment and Fiqh  throughout

Others may disagree but its just me.

Dr Israr Ahmed Saheb (RA) is natural fit for Deobandees instead of Maulana Maududi (RA).

Parda (Hijab) in Islam and UN Social Engineering by Dr Israr Ahmed (RA):

Anyone who thinks he is a Modernist or an apologetic or doesn't follow Sunnah should listen to this, even the first 15-20 minutes will tell you

Niqab and Jilbab in the Qur'aan by Dr Israr Ahmed (RA):

I don't know which Ulamah you refer to brother...

Two things that every DEOBANDI in the west needs to be clear in their head is that:

1. He is NOT connected to Maulana Maududi (RA) , in fact he broke away from him in 1960's and wrote a book agaist him
2. He is NOT connected to Jamaat-e-Islami , in fact he broke away from them in 1960's and wrote a book agaist them

Fatwa of Mufti ZarWali Khan (DB):

Q) Is it permissible to pray behind individuals who have the following Aqaid, “Jamaat-e-Islami”…

Mufti ZarWali Khan: Jamaat-e-Islami is a political movement so the correct question would be regarding those who agree with Maulana Maududi in Aqaid and Mufti Shafi (RA) has written in Jawahirul-Fiqh that a person should not pray behind them with their free will and happiness.

Dr Israr Ahmed (RA), some of his talks are weak but he is from Ahlul-Haq.

It is better not to pray behind Ahlul-Hadeeth and people of Bid’ah but if due to circumstances prayers is done behind them then it is better to repeat it.

The danger of leaving congregational Salah isn’t valid. Prayer should not be done behind Ahlul-Batil

Shaykhut-Tafseer Maulana Aslam Sheikhupuri on Dr Israr Ahmed (RA): Published Dharb-e-Mumin (27APR2010)

Dr Saheb

By Skaykh Aslam Sheikhupuri

The blessing and fortune of “Reverting to the Qur’aan” Dawah was destined to Shah Waliullah (RA) and his family in the Indian subcontinent. Thereafter, Ulama of Deoband became the true heirs and inheritors of this Dawah with Shaykhul Hind (Maulana) Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA) taking a central role who despite his senior age and feebleness returned to India after four (4) years of exile with a firm conviction and aim to dedicate his entire life to the cause of spreading the words, meaning and intent of the Qur’aan. Shaykh (RA) intended that he will spread the words of the Qur’aan amongst the children by establishing Maktabs and spread the meaning and intent of the Qur’aan amongst adults by public sermons and lectures on the Qur’aan.

Amongst the Ulama there were hundreds who dedicated their lives for the cause of Shaykhul Hind (Maulana) Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA), they established public Halaqahs of Qur’aan and even dedicated the Madrasa Holidays in organising Tafseer sessions. However Dr Israr Ahmed holds a special place amongst Non-Ulama who were specially touched and affected by the personality and Dawah of Shaykhul Hind (Maulana) Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA). Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) considered Shaykhul Hind (Maulana) Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA) a true reflection of the Dawah of Shah Waliullah (RA) and regarded himself as those who partook from his knowledge, methodology and Ma’arifah and considered himself as the intellectual inheritor of Shaykhul-Hind (RA).

Since Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) was neither a graduate from a Madrasa nor connected with a Shaykh, the Ulama truly associated with the circle and spiritual lineage of Shaykhul-Hind (RA) were always sceptical towards him and they had historical precedence favouring them. Ulama had witnessed that Fitnahs and movements such as “denial of prophet hood” and “denial of Hadeeth” had actually started out under the garb of “Quraanic Dawah” and once the masses accepted “Quraanic Dawah” seeds of ideological heresy and outright apostasy were sown within the ranks of the Ummah. Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) did realise the reservations of the Ulama, he continued to meet them, continued to invite them to his conferences, patiently listened to their objections and accepted his human errors in writings and speeches. His methodology of Bay’ah implemented in his organisation was also criticised and some of his ideologies were also discussed but it would be unjust not to acknowledge his services to the cause of “Reverting to the Qur’aan” Dawah. Shaykhul Hind (Maulana) Mahmoodul Hasan Deobandi (RA) used to say about Maulana Abul-Kalam Azda (RA) that this young man reminded us of our forgotten responsibilities, I would like to make a slight alteration and say “A Doctor reminded us of our forgotten responsibilities”.

It is the duty and responsibility of Ulama to establish Halaqahs of Qur’aan, it was theirs yesterday and it is theirs today. But when the Ulama left their responsibility, others took over and there is no doubt that many were sincere in their intentions and driven by the love for the Book of Allah (SWT), driven by the desire and immense sadness that Muslims have largely abandoned the Book of Allah (SWT) for fictions and stories. They wanted to take the Quraan off the high shelves, unwrap it from its fancy covering and propagate its teachings within the Muslim society, however when they saw people being attracted to them they ceased being a teacher and became “Mujatid-Mutlaq” and some of them even criticised Imam Abu Haneefa (RA) and Imam Shaf’ae (RA). However, Dr Israr Ahmed (RA)’s name tops the list of those good people who came in the field of Qur’aanic Dawah.

He started his Dars of the Qur’aan in 1954 and by 1965 made Qur’aan and its propagation his sole objective in life and even sacrificed his medical career and practise. He writes, “Allah (SWT) knows about intentions but this humble servant remained engaged in this noble cause and in this period apart from some unavoidable worldly and Islamic needs no amount of energy was spent on gaining worldly possessions or financial gains”.

He was a qualified Medical doctor, familiar with the prominent ideologies and philosophies of the past and the present, learned in the field of comparative religion, conversant and familiar with the English language, knew the psychology of today’s youth and possessed eloquence. When the youth particularly the educated masses heard Quraanic Dawah in a tone familiar to their ears, they responded. He (RA) used all tools of modern media at his disposal and targeted the youth, introduced long and short courses on the Qur’aan and within a period of time a Jamaat of Qur’aanic teachers was formed.
Summary of the Qur’aan after the recital in Taraweeh is also one of experiments and to the best of our knowledge he was a pioneer in this field and immensely successful. He (RA) wasn’t fond of simply giving a lecture but wanted to create a movement of “Islamic renaissance” by propagating and spreading the knowledge and Hikmah of the Qur’aan amongst masses. How successful was he in his movement? Only his students can answer that but there is no doubt that he fought well (in his cause) and each and every sincere Muslim should appreciate and aspire to a life of 60 years of dedication towards the cause of Book of Allah (SWT).

Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) was part of Jamaat-e-Islami for a few years and it is said about Jamaat-e-Islami that a person can come out of Jamaat-e-Islami but Jamaat never comes out of their hearts and some after-effects still linger and this is one of the causes why some stayed away from Dr Israr (RA). However, Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) explains that when he was part of Jamaat-e-Islami, he remained as the “Leader of the opposition” and despite having personal and close contacts with Maulana Maududi (RA) he never shied away from criticism. The truthfulness of Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) led to his separation from Jamaat-e-Islami. He stuck to his guns throughout his life and when PTV (Pakistan Television) tried to seat women (without Niqab) in his live Qur’aan sessions he refused and walked away from his popular TV show, Secular women in Pakistan demonstrated and took to the streets but Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) never compromised on the issue of Niqab. Even those who oppose him admit that Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) never compromised on commandments of Shariah and marriages of his own children are testament of his consistency in following the Shariah. I (personally in my experience) have found his adherents to be consistent in following the Shariah and respectful towards Ulama and Mashyakh.
Now, when Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) has left this world after spending a fruitful life and travelled to his Creator (SWT) we hope that Allah (SWT) will show special mercy towards this “Servant of the Qur’aan” and include him amongst the ranks of true “Lovers of the Qur’aan.

Mufti rafi Usmani (DB) on Dr Israr Ahmed (RA): (Press Release 20APR2010) view inline

Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) was a true solider of Islam and Pakistan. He lived near our Darul-uloom for a short time and during his stay used to pray his five daily prayers in our Mosque and we had several sittings with him. Thereafter, we also had the opportunity to share sev...eral meetings and I always found him to be sincere with Islam and Pakistan. There is room for disagreements with his opinions and we did but there is no doubt about his sincerity. Indeed he was an extremely sincere person and we have lost a sincere soldier for Islam and Pakistan. May Allah (SWT) forgive his sins, raise his rank and may his benefits continue to reach the Ummah as they reached when he was alive (Ameen)."


Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) sends his regards and gratitude to Taliban and Mullah Omar (Hafidahullah) on their hospitality and special treatment and recalls his meetings with them (Urdu talk entitled "Visit to Afghanistan)"

Amazing talk on Afghanistan, Taliban and Mullah Omar (HA)! I wish I could translate the whole thing...A cause that Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) supported and spoke about until he died.

P.S: I am neither Bay't to Dr Israr Ahmed (RA) nor part of his Jamaat in anyway whatsoever. In fact, I disagree with his Fiqh stance on offensive Jihad but truth has to be spoken when it comes to his Service to the Deen of Allah (SWT) and dedication.