Full Name: Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Born: 5 October 1943 (age 78)
Place of Birth: Deoband, United Provinces, British India
Nationality: Pakistani
Religion: Islam
Denomination: Sunni
Main interest(s): Quran, Arabic, Shari’a, Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, Sufism, Islamic finance, Kalam
Awards: Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan in 2019
Website: muftitaqiusmani.com
Muhammad Taqi Usmani Biography :
- Family Background: Muhammad Taqi Usmani hails from a lineage of educators, with the title “Miyanji” traditionally denoting teachers in his family history, showcasing a generational commitment to education.
- Relocation to Pakistan: At the age of four, Usmani’s family immigrated from Deoband to Karachi, Pakistan in 1948, where he would spend the rest of his formative years and build his career in Islamic scholarship.
- Education at Darul Uloom Karachi: Usmani’s formal religious education commenced at Darul Uloom Karachi, founded by Mufti Shafi in 1950. He embarked on his journey in the Dars-i Nizami curriculum in 1953, marking the beginning of his rigorous training in Islamic studies.
- Academic Achievements: Usmani obtained his specialization degree in fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and ifta (fatwa issuance) from Darul Uloom Karachi in 1961, earning the prestigious title of “Mufti.” He furthered his academic pursuits at the University of Karachi, achieving degrees in economics, politics, and law, as well as a Master of Arts in Arabic language and literature from the University of Punjab.
- Scholarly Contributions: As an intellectual leader of the Deobandi movement, Usmani has authored an impressive 143 books in Urdu, Arabic, and English, covering various aspects of Islamic studies, including a translation of the Quran and a comprehensive commentary on Sahih Muslim. His extensive writings and lectures encompass topics such as hadith studies, Islamic finance, and Shariah compliance.
- International Engagements: Usmani’s expertise extends beyond Pakistan’s borders, as he chairs the Shariah Board of the Bahrain-based Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and serves as a permanent member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, an organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headquartered in Jeddah.
- Legacy: Usmani’s profound impact on Islamic scholarship and jurisprudence is widely acknowledged, reflecting his dedication to advancing Islamic knowledge and principles both locally and globally.
( Last Updated: 20 January 2024 )