The Passing Away of Shaikh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (رحمه الله)
A Great Loss for the Ummah
The Ummah has once again been struck with sorrow at the passing away of Shaikh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (رحمه الله) — a renowned scholar, spiritual guide, and reformer whose life was devoted to the revival of Islamic knowledge, sincerity (ikhlāṣ), and spiritual purification (tazkiyah).
Indeed, the loss of such scholars is not merely the loss of individuals, but the diminishing of guidance and light within the Ummah.
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A Brief Biography (From Reliable & Widely Known Sources)
Shaikh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (رحمه الله) was among the well-known contemporary scholars and mashāyikh of the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi silsilah. He was a disciple (khalīfah) of senior scholars from the Indian Subcontinent and was deeply influenced by the spiritual legacy of Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi Mujaddid Alf Thani (رحمه الله) through the Naqshbandi path.
Key Contributions
Founder of Mahmoodiya Trust (Pakistan), an institution dedicated to:
Islamic education
Spiritual reform
Dawah and self-purification
Delivered thousands of bayanat (lectures) focusing on:
Tazkiyat-un-Nafs (purification of the heart)
Sincerity in worship
Love of Allah ﷻ and adherence to the Sunnah
Authored and delivered teachings that emphasized:
Balance between Shari‘ah and Tasawwuf
Practical Islam in daily life
Avoidance of extremism and innovation
His Methodology
Shaikh Zulfiqar (رحمه الله) was known for:
Strict adherence to Qur’an and Sunnah
Respect for classical scholarship
A gentle but firm approach to reform
Encouraging unity, humility, and repentance
His talks were widely attended across Pakistan, the UK, South Africa, and other parts of the world, benefiting both scholars and laypeople alike.
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The Passing of Scholars – A Prophetic Warning
The death of the ‘Ulama is not an ordinary matter. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ warned the Ummah clearly:
> “Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars. When no scholar remains, people will take ignorant leaders, who will give rulings without knowledge, and they will go astray and lead others astray.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 100
— Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2673
The passing of Shaikh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (رحمه الله) is a reflection of this reality — a reminder of how precious and rare sincere scholars are.
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Loss of the ‘Ulama is a Loss for the Entire Ummah
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) said:
> “The death of a scholar is a breach in Islam that nothing can mend as long as the night and day continue.”
— Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah
And Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله) said:
> “The death of a scholar is the death of a world.”
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Our Duty After Their Passing
With the departure of scholars like Shaikh Zulfiqar (رحمه الله), our responsibilities increase:
1. Make sincere du‘ā for their forgiveness and elevation
2. Preserve and spread their teachings
3. Support institutions of authentic Islamic knowledge
4. Implement what we have learned, not merely mourn
Allah ﷻ says:
> “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient.”
— Surah al-Baqarah 2:155
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Final Reflection
The passing away of Shaikh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi (رحمه الله) is truly a great loss for this Ummah, yet his legacy lives on through:
His students
His teachings
His reminders that softened hearts and reconnected people to Allah ﷻ
May Allah ﷻ grant him Jannatul Firdaus, accept his lifelong efforts, and raise scholars who follow the path of sincerity, humility, and Sunnah.
> إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
