Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi

 Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi

Sarfraz Sabri

Principal Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies

Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi was born in 1914 in a well-known family in the district of Muzaffar Nagar, India). His father, Allama Khalil Ahmed Ansari, known for his learning and piety was highly respected in the locality.

The young Fazl-urRahman learnt the Holy Quran by heart at the age of only six. Then he joined the Madrassa Islamia Meerat for Arabic and religious education. In 1933, he joined the Aligarh Muslim University Here, he received gold medal in B.A. B.Sc. (Combined). In the meantime he came in contact with such an eminent scholar Maulana Shah Abdul Aleem Sdiddiqui (RA) who was highly impressed with his sincerity, talent, intelligence and conscientiousness. This was the turning point in his life.

Due to various reasons, the Muslims throughout the world became politically disorganized, economically dependent and educationally backward. All the symptoms of weak and degenerated personality set in and political slavery undermined the character and the spirit of Islam among the Muslims. Ignorance, poverty, lack of religious dedication and degeneration in all aspects of life went on increasing. Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi, sensed the gravity of the state of affairs and directly attached with the prevailing conditions of his time. He diagnosed the ailment, interpreted the symptoms, prescribed the remedy and its dosage and taught how to execute it. He set the evil thinking right, removed the obstacle in the free movement of Muslim thoughts, provided a goal to make the action possible, and used his magical vehicle of expression as a shock therapy to inspire the people to the achievement of the end. All great thinkers and reformers seriously and effectively reflect on the existing conditions, with reference to the past, with a view of decorating the future. Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi likewise had to fight against inactivity, against shallow rationalism and western culture which had created a sense of inferiority among the Muslims.

  The greatest achievement of Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi was the establishment of Jamia Aleemiyah Islamiyah also known as the Islamic Centre which became the pioneer in the field of Religious Education as well as modern sciences. He attracted around him a large number of talented scholars who carried on with the mission of his beloved teacher, ideal role model and spiritual leader (Murshid), Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui RA, with endless zeal. This institution of learning founded in 1958 continues to spread its light throughout the World since the last 58 years of its existence and has published some outstanding works on diverse branches of knowledge.

Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi dedicated his life to the services of Islam, educating Muslims and writing books which inspired an entire generation. He was a prolific writer who wrote books on Islam, Comparative religion, Islamic Sociology and proved the authenticity of Islam by science and philosophy. His first book was "Beacon Light", in English Language in 1932. His classical written work was the "The Quranic Foundation and Structure of Muslim Society” in two volumes which has hardly any parallel in English Language of the world. This was an outstanding work and which has made great impression on the western scholars.

His articles published in “The Minaret” and other religious Journals are building the sublimity of thought and rationality of expression are a living evidence to his mastery over the language.

The brutal persecution of the Muslims in Africa by the French Army and Christian’s community compelled him to visit the African Countries where he raised voice against this brutality and tried to re-unite Muslims which were divided in to Arabs and Berbers. Where he was immensely needed for guiding the framing of a truly Islamic constitution.  And by his speeches, writings, and exemplary characters he presented Islam, that is a ‘religion’ and a system covering all fields of life. Islam means politics, economics, legislation, science, health, psychology and sociology. It is a system which makes no discrimination on the basis of race, color, language or other external categories. Its appeal is, to all mankind. It wants to reach the heart of every human being."

His death was mourned throughout the world of Islam and the loss of this great scholar, philosopher, and religious writer was universally acknowledged especially in African countries. His death created a great void in the Muslim of Africa.

He was a great man. He was the example of humility and simplicity. He was modest and never took pride in his greatness.

In the end I would like to congratulate Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, young, energetic well known scholar and famous writer and debater who is doing a research work on the personality of Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi (RA) in the last few years. And presenting the true picture of Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari Al Qaderi (RA) and had uncovered his shining writings and words which were lying under heavy dust. Moreover he has discovered the glorious aspects of his life which were unfamiliar to us. This is a remarkable achievement of him. Because Dr. Ansari is such a kind of person who’s every word and letter is unique, which has a great message and lesson for the revival of Islamic teachings for the young generations who has gone astray. May Allah blessed Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui with bounty of blessings in his knowledge and increase his wisdom.