Allama Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi (Urdu: قمرالزمان اعظمى) is a prominent[1] scholar in the Ahle
sunnah wal jamah and Sufism.[2] Millions of people across the Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East, Europe, America and Canada revere and respect him.[3] The Times of India wrote on 2 November 2010: "Allama Azmi is undoubtedly the most sought-after preacher of Ahle sunnah wal jamah".[4] In 2011 Georgetown University[5] listed him as one of the "500[6] Most Influential Muslims in the World".[7]
He is the Khalifa of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's son Mustafa Raza Khan and Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf of Kicchocha Sharif. He is Secretary-General of the World Islamic Mission.[8]
Maulana Shahid Raza OBE Chairman of the UK's Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board wrote:[9] "Allama Azmi is not only the Imam of oration admired for his public lectures which have inspired millions of young and old Muslims in the sub continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America but he is also a great Islamic Thinker of the 21st Century".
Maulana Shahid Raza[10] OBE further argues that: "Allama Azmi's importance lies primarily in his awareness of the problems faced by Muslims when confronted with modernity. His familiarity with western philosophical and cultural ideas coupled with his vast knowledge of the Islamic sciences and orthodox as well as modern trends in Islamic thought has resulted in him being a figure of intellectual force in the field of a revival of Islamic environment. He believes that the future of the Ummah is in the hands of Muslims themselves. Poverty and humiliation of Muslims in the contemporary world has always been a prime concern for him, however he considers that Muslims themselves are largely responsible for this downfall due to a lack of education, activism and an aspiring soul".[11]
Phillip Lewis (1994) quotes Allama Azmi in his book Islamic Britain: Religion, Politics and Identity among British Muslims, that Islam and secular society can co-exist and "the widely shared perception that secular necessarily implies irreligion is simply wrong. In India, he contends, a secular state can offer security to Muslims since it is compatible with acknowledging that religion is important and, that in a religiously plural environment the state does not allow believers in one religious tradition to enjoy a privileged status. All are citizens with equal rights. Indeed, in India, Muslims are allowed to conform to their own Muslim family law".[12]
Allama Azmi is a force for equal rights for women and argues that women must be allowed to play their role in creating a just and evil-free society[13] and is opposed to extremism and terrorism. He argues that those who use the name of Islam to terrorise are enemies of Allah and Islam. No injustice or assault, real or imagined, can be an excuse for resorting to violence and maiming innocents.[14]
A collection of his scholarly speecheshas been published in three volumes. Volume one was put together by Maulana Mohammed Rehan Raza Misbahi and Maulana Abdullah Azmi in a 376-page book consisting of twelve speeches entitled Khutbaat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam (Speeches of the Great Thinker of Islam) published by Maktaba Taiba, Mumbai, India.[16]
Volume two was put together by Maulana Mohammed Sajid Hussain Qadri in a 512-page book consisting of nineteen speeches entitled Khutbaat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam (Speeches of the Great Thinker of Islam) and published by Maktaba Taiba, Hyderabad. This was launched by Tajus-Shari'a Hazrat Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan and Mohaddith-e-Kabir Hazrat Allama Zia-ul-Mustafa.[17]
Volume three was put together by Imran Hussain Chaudhary in a 240-page book consisting of eleven speeches entitled Ilmi taqreeray'n (scholarly speeches) and published by the Sunni Foundation in 2008 in Pakistan.[18]
His collection of poetry Khayabaan-e-Midhat volume one was published in 2007[19] by Maktaba Taiba, Mumbai, India and volume two in 2011 by the Sunni Foundation in Pakistan. He has written more than 200 articles which are being collated and published in volumes under the title Maqaalat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam. His books like Jamaal-e-Mustafa are already in circulation within India.
Allama Azmi's missionary life spans nearly fifty years. During this period, he has helped to build many organisations and institutions all over the world such mosques, colleges and universities in America,[20] Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Belgium and India. Al-Jame-atul-Islamia in Raunahi alone had four hundred Ulemas graduate in 2011. He has been presented with hundreds[21] of awards and certificates of appreciations including the recent Mufti-e-Azam Gold Medal Award[22] by the Raza Academy in Mumbai where a collection of articles by scholars and key figures from the world on his life and contributions were published in a book entitled Tajal-liyat-e-Qamar.[23]
Allama Azmi became known for his piety and the great intellectual and scholarly abilities from an early age. He was admitted into one of India's best Islamic Institutes, Ashrafia, Azamgarh at the age of twelve. From there he went onto to Nadwatul Ulama University and at the age of eighteen he completed his Aalim degree and returned to Al Jamiatul Ashrafia where he was awarded the Dastar-e-Fazilat (Turban of Honour) and the Sanad (Islamic degree) by the hands of the founder of that University, His Holiness Hafiz-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Abdul Aziz Muhaddith-e-Muradabadi.[25]
He was commissioned in 1966 at the age of eighteen by His Holiness Hafiz-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Abdul Aziz Muhaddith-e-Muradabadi to go to Faizabad (near Lucknow) to start his missionary work. There at the age of eighteen years he established the Islamic university, Al-Jame-atul-Islamia,[26] which is now recognised as one of India's top Islamic universities.[27]
sunnah wal jamah and Sufism.[2] Millions of people across the Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East, Europe, America and Canada revere and respect him.[3] The Times of India wrote on 2 November 2010: "Allama Azmi is undoubtedly the most sought-after preacher of Ahle sunnah wal jamah".[4] In 2011 Georgetown University[5] listed him as one of the "500[6] Most Influential Muslims in the World".[7]He is the Khalifa of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's son Mustafa Raza Khan and Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf of Kicchocha Sharif. He is Secretary-General of the World Islamic Mission.[8]
Maulana Shahid Raza OBE Chairman of the UK's Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board wrote:[9] "Allama Azmi is not only the Imam of oration admired for his public lectures which have inspired millions of young and old Muslims in the sub continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America but he is also a great Islamic Thinker of the 21st Century".
Maulana Shahid Raza[10] OBE further argues that: "Allama Azmi's importance lies primarily in his awareness of the problems faced by Muslims when confronted with modernity. His familiarity with western philosophical and cultural ideas coupled with his vast knowledge of the Islamic sciences and orthodox as well as modern trends in Islamic thought has resulted in him being a figure of intellectual force in the field of a revival of Islamic environment. He believes that the future of the Ummah is in the hands of Muslims themselves. Poverty and humiliation of Muslims in the contemporary world has always been a prime concern for him, however he considers that Muslims themselves are largely responsible for this downfall due to a lack of education, activism and an aspiring soul".[11]
Phillip Lewis (1994) quotes Allama Azmi in his book Islamic Britain: Religion, Politics and Identity among British Muslims, that Islam and secular society can co-exist and "the widely shared perception that secular necessarily implies irreligion is simply wrong. In India, he contends, a secular state can offer security to Muslims since it is compatible with acknowledging that religion is important and, that in a religiously plural environment the state does not allow believers in one religious tradition to enjoy a privileged status. All are citizens with equal rights. Indeed, in India, Muslims are allowed to conform to their own Muslim family law".[12]
Allama Azmi is a force for equal rights for women and argues that women must be allowed to play their role in creating a just and evil-free society[13] and is opposed to extremism and terrorism. He argues that those who use the name of Islam to terrorise are enemies of Allah and Islam. No injustice or assault, real or imagined, can be an excuse for resorting to violence and maiming innocents.[14]
Books about him
A lot has already been written about Allama Azmi throughout the world. Saut-ul-Azhar, the Egyptian newspaper recently carried an extensive piece on his life, contributions and scholarly orations. Elsewhere, newspapers and journals in India, Pakistan, Middle East, South Africa, Europe, United States and Canada have written hundreds of articles on him.[15]A collection of his scholarly speecheshas been published in three volumes. Volume one was put together by Maulana Mohammed Rehan Raza Misbahi and Maulana Abdullah Azmi in a 376-page book consisting of twelve speeches entitled Khutbaat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam (Speeches of the Great Thinker of Islam) published by Maktaba Taiba, Mumbai, India.[16]
Volume two was put together by Maulana Mohammed Sajid Hussain Qadri in a 512-page book consisting of nineteen speeches entitled Khutbaat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam (Speeches of the Great Thinker of Islam) and published by Maktaba Taiba, Hyderabad. This was launched by Tajus-Shari'a Hazrat Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan and Mohaddith-e-Kabir Hazrat Allama Zia-ul-Mustafa.[17]
Volume three was put together by Imran Hussain Chaudhary in a 240-page book consisting of eleven speeches entitled Ilmi taqreeray'n (scholarly speeches) and published by the Sunni Foundation in 2008 in Pakistan.[18]
His collection of poetry Khayabaan-e-Midhat volume one was published in 2007[19] by Maktaba Taiba, Mumbai, India and volume two in 2011 by the Sunni Foundation in Pakistan. He has written more than 200 articles which are being collated and published in volumes under the title Maqaalat-e-Muffakir-e-Islam. His books like Jamaal-e-Mustafa are already in circulation within India.
Allama Azmi's missionary life spans nearly fifty years. During this period, he has helped to build many organisations and institutions all over the world such mosques, colleges and universities in America,[20] Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Belgium and India. Al-Jame-atul-Islamia in Raunahi alone had four hundred Ulemas graduate in 2011. He has been presented with hundreds[21] of awards and certificates of appreciations including the recent Mufti-e-Azam Gold Medal Award[22] by the Raza Academy in Mumbai where a collection of articles by scholars and key figures from the world on his life and contributions were published in a book entitled Tajal-liyat-e-Qamar.[23]
Early years
Allama Azmi was born on 23 March 1946 in the district of Azamgarh in the State of Uttar Pardesh, India to a deeply religious and educated family. He was given the name Mohammad Qamaruzzaman Khan Azmi. His father was Molvi Abdul Hameed Khan who was the son of Molvi Abdul Samad Khan. He learnt Persian and Urdu from his father and grandfather and obtained initial Islamic education from a local institution called Anwar-ul-Uloom.[24]Allama Azmi became known for his piety and the great intellectual and scholarly abilities from an early age. He was admitted into one of India's best Islamic Institutes, Ashrafia, Azamgarh at the age of twelve. From there he went onto to Nadwatul Ulama University and at the age of eighteen he completed his Aalim degree and returned to Al Jamiatul Ashrafia where he was awarded the Dastar-e-Fazilat (Turban of Honour) and the Sanad (Islamic degree) by the hands of the founder of that University, His Holiness Hafiz-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Abdul Aziz Muhaddith-e-Muradabadi.[25]
He was commissioned in 1966 at the age of eighteen by His Holiness Hafiz-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Abdul Aziz Muhaddith-e-Muradabadi to go to Faizabad (near Lucknow) to start his missionary work. There at the age of eighteen years he established the Islamic university, Al-Jame-atul-Islamia,[26] which is now recognised as one of India's top Islamic universities.[27]
Sunni Dawat-e-Islami
The Sunni Dawat-e-Islami describes Huzoor Mufakkir-e-Islam as the chief mentor and guide of Sunni Dawat-e-Islami. He attends the Annual International Ijtema in Mumbai which attracts 150,000-200,000 people each year. The Sunni Dawat-e-Islami is an international organization working in India, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Africa, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It has established numerous large institutions including[48]: • Noor-e-Madina College • Heera School • Malik bin Dinar College • Qadria College • Ismail Habib MosqueHis mentees and students
His mentees include figures like Azmi Maulana Obaidullah Khan,[49] the world famous poet Meraj Faizabadi'[50] and leading international organisations like the Sunni Dawat-e-Islami which states him on its website as its Chief Mentor and Guide. His students include Allama Mufti Qamar-ul-Hassan the Mufti-e-Azam of America; Allama Farogh-ul-Qadri, the Chief Imam of Khizra Mosque in Glasgow; Allama Abu Zahra Rizvi, Allama Arshad Misbahi, the Chief Imam of Manchester Central Mosque;[51] Dr Musharraf Hussain,Director of Karimia Institute;[52] Maulana Faisal Noorani; Dr Waqar Azmi OBE;[53]What leaders & critics say[54]
- His Holiness Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Hazrat Maulana Mustafa Raza Khan who was the holy son of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi made him his Khalifa. His Holiness would wish to be present to listen to Allama Azmi's speech. He was so fond of Allama's speech that during Raipur's Ijtima, whilst being fragile with old age, he said to the organisers to bring him to the stage before Allama Azmi's speech so that he could listen to it. On this occasion, however, he wasn't brought on time and, therefore, was very upset that he missed Allama's speech. At another Ijtima in Jabal Pur Allama Azmi cut his speech short since there were many other great scholars and speakers present, however, His Holiness asked him to continue and complete his speech.
- His Holiness Hafiz-e-Millat Allama Abdul Aziz Muradabadi, founder of Al Jamiatul Ashrafia Mubarakpur was present at an Ijtima in Mubarakpur listening to Allama Sahib's speech on 'Namaaz' (Salaah). Allama Sahib spoke for three hours leaving the audience in awe. His Holiness stood up and asked: "O people, there are many of you who like me are over the age of seventy in this audience. Can you tell me if you have ever heard a greater speech than this. The audience replied: "No". Then His Holiness said: "From this day on I award him the title of "Khateeb-e-Azam" (the Great Orator). Please note that in the audience the current Shaikh-ul-Hadith of Al Jamiatul Ashrafia, Hazrat Allama Mohammad Ahmed Misbahi was also present.
- The scholar Allama Abul Wafa Faseehi Ghazipuri (who was given the title Sahbaan-ul-Hind after the great orator of Iran) would be in awe when Allama Sahib spoke.
- The scholar Hazrat Allama Mushtaq Ahmed Nizami said: "This is the good fortune of the Ahle sunnah wal jamah that a great scholar like Allama Qamaruzzaman is amongst us".
- Ra'ees-ut-Tahrir Hazrat Allama Arshadul Qaudri: "In the line up of Ulema there are few who have achieved greatness in both writing and oratory skills and can answer the challenges of the modern world with such mastery. He is unique in the Ahle sunnah wal jamah".
- Bahr-ul-Uloom Hazrat Allama Mufti Abdul Mannan Sahib wrote in one of his articles that Maulana Qamaruzzaman's greatness is such that he could prepare a speech for hours just on one or two words of Hafiz-e-Millat. In his introductory remarks at a programme at Al Jamiatul Ashrafia he said: "The most difficult subjects that can only be taught by great scholars are brought to life with ease by Allama Azmi Sahib in an inspiring and beautiful way".
- Syed Shahabuddin, Indian Foreign Services (IFS) and Leader of the Insaf Party, after hearing Allama Sahib's speech, said: "This is the first speech after one of the great founding fathers of India, Maulana Abu Kalam Azad and the great orator, Maulana Azad Subhani that I have been so overwhelmed by". This programme was held in Gaya and Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Sirajul Huda and Hazrat Maulana Qamaruzzaman Gayani were present.
- Iftikhar Arif, the author, poet and Chairman of Muqtadra, Pakistan wrote in the Jang newspaper: "Qamaruzzaman is a great faqee'h, poet and writer and this is unique as the three don't come together in one".
- Iftikhar Azmi, the writer, used to attend regularly the 'Dars' given by Allama Sahib in Bradford and in one of his articles he commented on the 'magical way' of Allama Sahib's Tafseer".
- An Urdu poet and writer, Professor Giyassuddin Qureshie of Newcastle University used to attend Allama Sahib's Dars in Leeds regularly. That's where he learnt about Imam Ahmed Raza Khan and fell so much in love that he translated the 'Salaam-e-Raza' and 'Al-Daulatul Makkiya' in English poetry.
- Allama Shahid Raza OBE, Chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board said: "Allama Azmi is not only the 'Imam' of oration admired for his public lectures which have inspired millions of young and old Muslims in the sub continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America but he is also a great Islamic Thinker of the 21st Century".
- Sahibzada Sayyid Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Cabinet Minister for Religious Affairs, Government of Pakistan wrote: "Hazrat Allama Azmi is not only the king of oration but as a thinker there is no one like him in modern day". He went on to write: "When I listen to his great speeches I feel like revisiting mine; when I hear his intellectual thoughts I feel guided; when I experience his beautiful manners I feel exposed".
- The Times of India wrote on 2 November 2010: "There are two kinds of Sunni Muslims in the world: those who have met or heard Allama Qamaruzzaman Azmi and those who haven't. His lucid speeches peppered with repeated references to Quranic commandments and the life of the Prophet and his companions have a charismatic effect; they go straight to the heart. Unlike many rabble-rousing parochial preachers and Islam-supremacist televangelists Azmi uses words to calm nerves, close breaches and salve wounds".
- Munaf Solaiman, President of the World Islamic Mission, Canada: "Canadian Muslims from coast to coast look forward to the continued presence of Muffakir-e-Azam Allama Qamar-uz-Zaman Azmi here in Canada where he has already left a legacy which only a scholar of his magnanimity and humility can hope to achieve".
- Taj Mohammad Qadri of Al-Azhar University, Cairo in his article on Allama Sahib's life published in the Egyptian newspaper Saut-ul-Azhar wrote: "The great contemporary thinker for Islamic issues, a great scholar of Islam, and a great orator Allama Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi is known not only all over the Indian sub-continent but all over the world".
- Professor Waqar Ahmed who is the Chair of Nanotechnology & Advanced Manufacturing and Head of Institute of Nanotechnology & Bioengineering as well as Leader of Nanomedicine and Nanoengineering Research Group at the University of Central Lancashire wrote: "Allama Azmi is one of the most lucid and original thinkers of his generation. He is internationally renowned for the depth of his knowledge on all aspects of Islam. However, I have been most impressed with his interest and appreciation of science and technology and its importance in modern Islamic society. For two decades I have had the privilege of listening to his numerous lectures and debates. His insights, guidance and love have provided the foundational pillars for my own success and happiness. His dynamic powerhouse style has inspired thousands of Muslim professionals in Manchester to live a pious life. Allama Azmi is not only a great leader but also a truly amazing and wonderful human being".
- Jim Karygiannis M.P., House of Commons of Canada: on 13 July 2002 awarded a certificate of commendation to Allama Azmi for his services and wrote: "In my capacity as Member of Parliament it gives me great pleasure to commend the renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi".
- Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Founding Secretary-General, the Muslim Council of Britain: "Just before the formation of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), I was part of the major consultation process meeting senior leaders and scholars of the Muslim community in the UK. I had the pleasure of meeting Allama Sahib and sought his advice as one of the leading Islamic scholars in the UK. I was not only inspired but deeply impressed with his foresightedness and vision for the Muslim community in the UK. His fullest support and encouragement for the Muslim community in the UK to work together under one umbrella body was instrumental in setting up of MCB. I have valued immensely his guidance and counsel over the years."
- Mohammed Sarwar, former Member of Parliament, House of Commons of the United Kingdom: "Allama Azmi is a great scholar and personality of the Muslim world. His powerful orations, depth of knowledge, grip over current affairs and deep passion for driving change for the better is exceptional. His presence in Scotland over the years has had a huge positive impact on the life of Muslim communities and is highly commendable".
- http://allamaazmi.com
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