Dr. Israr Ahmad: The greatest Urdu interpreter of the Quran

Who would be unfamiliar with the personality of

Dr. Israr Ahmad (may he rest in peace)?

He was a luminary in his own right, an academy of Qur’anic studies. Dr. Israr Ahmad passed away fourteen years ago today, on April 14, 2010. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.

Dr. Israr Ahmad dedicated his entire life to the promotion and dissemination of Quranic teachings. He enlightened numerous minds and hearts with his scholarly and intellectual thoughts. After spending the initial fifteen years of his life, he devoted almost sixty years to teaching the Quran.

There were many attributes attributed to him that set him apart from his contemporaries. Among them, the aim to propagate the message of Islam, based on the foundation of the Quran, to the general public while considering the demands of the modern era was prominent. Dr. Israr Ahmad utilized all his physical and intellectual energies and abilities to continue the study of the Quran.

Dr. Israr Ahmad’s distinction lay in his ability to have a command over both religious sciences as well as worldly sciences such as history, philosophy, science, and society. He had studied many Western intellectuals like Kant, Freud, Marx, etc. He had a fondness for poetry and used to adorn his lectures with verses from various poets. He was influenced by the poetry of Allama Iqbal.

He had a heartfelt connection with Surah Al-Hadid. After arranging and compiling it, he published it as a book titled “Umm Al-Masābiḥ.” He also recorded several lectures in English. He gained special recognition through the TV program “Al-Huda.” In recognition of his religious and national services, he was awarded the Star of Excellence by the Government of Pakistan in 1981.

Dr. Israr Sahib was a part of the Muslim League Students Federation during the days of the freedom movement. After the formation of Pakistan, he initially settled in Karachi and later moved to Lahore. He passed his M.A. in Islamic Studies from King Edward Medical College, Lahore, in 1954.

During this period, like many revolutionary youths, Dr. Israr Ahmad was also influenced by the thinking of Syed Maududi. He started from the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba and eventually reached Jamaat-e-Islami. Later, due to ideological differences, he separated from Jamaat-e-Islami and founded the Tanzeem-e-Islami, a non-political organization aimed at implementing the system of Khilafah.

Tanzeem-e-Islami remained active in promoting the establishment of Khilafah in Pakistan. Several conferences were held to eliminate interest. Dr. Israr Ahmad had a deep insight into international political situations. He was critical of the capitalist system and Western democracy. He also wrote books on various subjects, totaling more than a hundred. Among them were exegesis of the Quran, books on the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), etc.

His other famous works include “Malfuzat Dr. Israr Ahmad,” “The Concept of Social Reform in the Light of Quran,” “The Foundations of Our Connection with the Prophet,” “The Past, Present, and Future of the Muslim Ummah,” and the first popular and critical period of Pakistani politics, etc.

Renowned religious scholar Dr. Zakir Naik had close relations with Dr. Israr Ahmad. At his invitation, Dr. Israr Ahmad also taught Quran in India. Dr. Zakir Naik regarded Dr. Israr Ahmad as the greatest Urdu interpreter of the Quran.

Dr. Israr Ahmad’s fame also stemmed from being a Quranic commentator. His lectures, spanning hundreds, are available on YouTube. Even now, listening to Dr. Israr Ahmad, one feels his presence among us, continuing to impart Quranic lessons.

May Allah, the Most Forgiving and Merciful, grant forgiveness to Dr. Israr Ahmad and elevate his status. Amen.