Mufti Muhammad Waqaruddin Qadri: A Legacy of Islamic Scholarship

Early Life and Family

Mufti Muhammad Waqaruddin Qadri, also known as Waqar-e-Millat, was born on 1st January 1915 (14 Safar 1333 AH) in Khamaria, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, India. He hailed from a family of scholars and middle-class landlords of the Arain tribe. His father, Hameeduddin, was a Hafiz of the Quran, and his mother, Imtiazun Nisa, belonged to a respected family from Pilibhit.

Education and Scholarly Journey

Waqaruddin Qadri started his early education in his native village and later attended Madarsa-e-Astana-e-Sheria, Pilibhit. He continued his studies at Manzar-e-Islam, Bareilly, the famous seminary established by Imam Ahmed Raza Khan. Later, he went to Dadon, Aligarh, where he completed his Daura-e-Hadith under Hakim Amjad Ali Aazmi, receiving his degree in 1937.

Academic Contributions

His career as an Islamic scholar began at Madarsa Manzar-e-Islam, where he initially served as a teacher and was later promoted to a managerial role overseeing academic affairs. He was actively involved in religious debates and was known for his defense of Sunni Barelvi teachings.

In 1954, he moved to Jamia Ahmadiyya Sunnia Kamil Madrasa in Chittagong, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). After serving the people of East Pakistan until 1971, he migrated to West Pakistan due to the civil war and settled in Karachi.

In Karachi, he joined Darul Uloom Amjadia as the head of teaching and jurisprudence. His scholarly contributions were widely recognized, and he played a crucial role in shaping the religious discourse of Pakistan.

Spiritual Leadership and Fatwas

Mufti Waqaruddin took Bay’at (spiritual allegiance) at the hands of Hamid Raza Khan Qadri and later received Khilafat (spiritual successor-ship) from Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri. He was an expert in Islamic jurisprudence, and his Fatwas (religious rulings) were compiled in the well-known three-volume book “Waqar-ul-Fatawa”. One of his notable rulings was his declaration that it is impermissible to shave the beard.

Influence and Recognition

He was appointed Grand Mufti of Pakistan during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime and played a key role in shaping Islamic jurisprudence in the country. He was also a member of the Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and contributed to defining the constitutional meaning of the term "Muslim" in Pakistan.

Among his prominent students was Maulana Ilyas Qadri, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami.

Books and Writings

Mufti Waqaruddin Qadri authored several books, including:

Waqar-ul-Fatawa (A comprehensive collection of Fatwas)

Zakat Ki Ahmiyat (The Importance of Zakat)

Masail-e-Itikaf (Issues of Itikaf)

Death and Legacy

Mufti Waqaruddin Qadri passed away on 19th September 1993 (20 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1413 AH) in Karachi, Pakistan. He was buried at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Karachi. His legacy continues to influence scholars and religious circles in South Asia.

Poetic Tributes to Mufti Waqar Ud Din

Many have written verses and manqbats in honor of Mufti Waqar Ud Din, acknowledging his wisdom, guidance, and the impact he had on their lives. These tributes serve as a reminder of his unmatched dedication to spreading the message of Islam.

1. Sunnion ke Dil Mein Hai Izzat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki

Sunnion ke dil mein hai izzat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki

Aaj bhi mamnoon hai millat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Aap Allama o Mufti aur the Sheikh-ul-Hadith  

Aaj bhi hai qalb mein azmat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Sirf Aalim hi nahi the aap Aalim-gar bhi the  

Marhaba thi khoob ilmiyat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Be-aadad ulama ne zanoo-e-talamuz teh kiye  

Kya bayan ho sha'an-e-ilmiyat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Insha Allah kaam aaye gi mujhe roz-e-jaza  

Qadr daani ilm ki ulfat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Insha Allah woh broz-e-hashar bakhsha jaayega  

Jis ko haasil ho gayi nisbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Woh mujasam aajzi the aur saraapa saadagi  

Is liye to dil mein hai haybat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Charpaai aur takiya aur louta janamaz  

Thi saraapa saada hi tinat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Charpaai par woh hote aur hum bhi rubaru  

Yaad aati hai humein sohbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Aaye din khidmat mein aakar hum masa'il poochhte  

Yaad aati hai humein sohbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Nuqta daani, mushigaafi aur gul afshaaniyan  

Yaad aati hai humein sohbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Khanda peshaani, tabassum raiz, meethi guftagu  

Yaad aati hai humein sohbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Unko seene se lagaya Mustafa ne khawab mein  

Qabil-e-sad rashk hai qismat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Banda-e-badkaar hoon! Afsos mein bekaar hoon  

Kuch na mujh se ho saki khidmat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Sab mureedon ke liye saare muhibbon ke liye  

Saanihah jaan sooz tha rihlat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Aakhri deedar ke waqt aankh meri ro padi  

Dekh kar zair-e-kafan soorat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Ya Ilahi! Waasita tujh ko Rasool-e-Pak ka  

Noor se mamoor kar turbat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Waasita Ghaus o Raza ka Ae Khuda-e-Mustafa  

Khawab mein mujh ko dikha soorat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Un ke faiz-e-khaas se Attar bhi hai faizyaab  

Is pe kuch zayed hi thi shafqat "Waqaar-ul-Deen" ki  

Tu to hai Attar, badatawar, woh aali waqar  

Kya likhega manqabat Hazrat Waqaar-ul-Deen ki

2. Mufti-e-Azam Bari Sarkar hai 

Mufti-e-Azam bari sarkar hai  

Jabke adna sa gada Attar hai  

Mufti-e-Azam se hum ko pyaar hai  

Insha Allah apna beera paar hai  

Mufti-e-Azam Raza ka laadla  

Aur muhibb Sayyid-e-Abrar hai  

Aalim o Mufti Faqih-e-be-badal  

Khoob khush akhlaq o ba-kirdar hai  

Tajdar-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat al-madad  

Banda-e-dar be kas o na-chaar hai  

Takht-e-shahi kya karun mere liye  

Taj-e-izzat aap ki paizar hai  

A’la Hazrat ka rahun main ba-wafa  

Istiqaamat ki dua darkaar hai  

Aastanay par khada hai ik gada  

Taalib-e-ishq-e-Shah-e-Abrar hai  

Muskarakar ik nazar gar dekh lo  

Meri shaam-e-gham abhi gulzaar hai  

Mere dil ko shaad farma dijiye  

Ranj o gham ki qalb par yaghwaar hai  

Sayyidi Ahmad Raza ka waasita  

Tera mangta taalib-e-deedar hai  

Hun gunahon ke maraz se neem jaan  

Dard-e-‘isyaan ki dawa darkaar hai  

Haath phela kar muraadein maang lo  

Saailo unka sakhi darbar hai  

Insha Allah maghfirat ho jayegi  

Ae Wali! Teri dua darkaar hai  

Khoob khidmat sunnaton ki main karun  

Sayyidi teri dua darkaar hai  

Kaash Noori ke sagon mein ho shumaar  

Yeh tamanna-e-dil-e-Attar hai

These Manqabt reflect the profound respect and admiration for Mufti Waqar Ud Din's contributions to the community and the legacy he leaves behind.

Mufti Waqar Ud Din’s life and work stand as a testament to the power of knowledge, faith, and dedication. His legacy continues to inspire countless Muslims, urging them to uphold the true teachings of Islam with wisdom and understanding. May Allah grant us the ability to follow in his footsteps and carry forward his message of peace, justice, and scholarship. Ameen.

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