Brief on Shaykh-ul-Islam
Shaykh-ul-Islam is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Minhaj University Lahore, which is chartered by the Government, and is imparting higher education to thousands of students in the faculties of basic, modern, social, management and religious sciences. He is the founder of Minhaj Education Society which has established more than 650 schools and colleges in Pakistan. He is also the founding Chairman of Minhaj Welfare Foundation, a humanitarian and social welfare organization working globally. He is the founding leader of different forums of Minhaj-ul- Qur’an including Minhaj-ul-Quran Ulama Council, Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League, Minhaj Youth League, Mustafavi Students Movements and Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum.
Shaykh ul Islam is a man of manifold and staggering achievements, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is the founding leader of Minhaj-ul- Quran International (MQI), an organization with branches and centres in more than 90 countries around the globe, working for the promotion of peace and harmony between communities and the revival of spiritual endeavour based on the true teachings of Islam. Shaykh-ul-Islam is a scholar of extraordinary proportions and an intellectual leader for all seasons. He is a living model of profound classical knowledge, intellectual enlightenment, practical wisdom, pure spirituality, love, harmony and humanism. He is well known for his ardent endeavour to strengthen bonds among people, by bringing them together through tolerance, dialogue, integration and education. He successfully bridges the past with his image of the future and finds convincing solutions for contemporary problems. He has been teaching Hadith, Tafsir, Fiqh, Theology, Sufism, Sirah, Islamic philosophy and many other rational and traditional sciences to thousands of people, including Ulama, scholars, Shuyukh, students, intellectuals and academics in the east and the west.
Contributions to the betterment of society
Shayk ul Islam has contributed in all dimensions to the betterment of society such as through his literary work and lectures. He also established institutions serving society at large. He has a very clear objective of serving the whole of humanity and especially, Muslim Ummah.
Literary Work and Lectures on Human Rights and Society
The following are the selected books written on human rights and society in Islamic Paradigm:
• Human Rights in Islam
• Islam on the Rights of Women
• Islam on the Rights of Children
• Islam on the Rights of Senior Citizens
• Islam on the Rights of Non-Muslims
• Islam on the Rights of the Disabled
• Islam and Science
• Qur’ān on Creation and Evolution of Man
• Qur’ān on Creation and Expansion of the Universe
• Islam on Prevention of Heart Diseases
• Spiritualism and Magnetism
• Issues of the Modern Age and their Solutions
Shaykh-ul-Islam has delivered thousands of lectures on hundreds of topics. He tried to introduce a bright face of Islam to the young generations in Pakistan and in the west. He is the ambassador of peace, tolerance and tranquillity. He is of the view that a society can become a welfare and peaceful society by following the teachings of Islam and Prophet of Islam in true letter and spirit. He fought against terrorism and extremism and his historical fatwa on terrorism became the most authentic and famous writing all around the globe.
Establishment of Departments and Institutions for Betterment of Society
Shaykh-ul-Islam founded and established various institutions for serving society such as the establishment of Minhaj ul Quran Women League (MWL). MWL is a dedicated institution that is working solely on the character-building of women across the globe and providing education and training to women on a large scale. MWL brings empowerment to the women of all age groups and organises activities with full confidence, providing opportunities to develop skills and abilities in order to take a full and active part in society. The Women League holds cultural, spiritual and educational events. The main themes of these events are: to build bridges between different communities and create peace and harmony between them; to educate women, especially of low socio-economic status, on their rights; and inculcate in them self-respect, confidence and pride in the significant role they play in creating a peaceful and progressive society; and also to provide them with positive role models to follow. The Women League Tanzimat also exist in over 100 countries world wide including the United Kingdom France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Norway, Denmark, USA, Canada, South Africa and many other countries. They have made valuable achievements within a short-span of time. In their respective countries the Women League and Youth Sisters organize Islamic classes in the local languages, be it English, French, or even Danish. They organize other Islamic events, seminars, social and cultural events as well as inter-faith gatherings, sports days for women only and self-defence classes. In each of the countries the sisters work tirelessly adopting modern modes of communication to ensure their message reaches the masses.
Other departments established by Shaykh-ul-Islam for youth are Minhaj Youth League (MYL) and Mustafavi Students Movement (MSM). These two departments are playing their crucial role in society for the betterment of youth and youngsters. Since its inception MYL has been imparting spiritual, ideological, educational technical and social guidance to youth so that they (youth) who are the most dynamic segment of society and the future of the nation may transform into useful citizen of the society. In this way youth will be at the forefront of building the future of Pakistan. Peace and prosperity will be the destiny of nation and Pakistan will enjoy great respect among the world community. MSM is busy to protect students from violation and immoral activities and to provide positive avenues to their emotions. This Movement is active in universities, colleges, schools and religious institutes at nationwide level. To eliminate illiteracy and spread the light of knowledge, Discourage the drugs usage, waywardness, obscenity, vulgarity and to eradicate the thriving trends of western culture and draw the attention of students from violent attitude towards educational and national objectives, which is the prior responsibility of Mustafavi Students Movement.
In social perspective, a landmark institution founded by Shaykh-ul Islam is the development of Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF). MWF's charitable projects are spanning towards all four corners of Pakistan, predominantly serving the deprived communities of a developing nation. Supporters from around the world also started joining the Minhaj Welfare Foundation network and in a very short span of time our humanitarian organisation attained a worldwide standing with a portfolio of projects now serving communities far beyond the boundaries of Pakistan. Today a network of supporters and organisations from around the world partake in one of the most effectively synergised humanitarian movement of our time.
To inculcate true Islamic teachings among Muslims, Shaykh-ul-Islam established Minhaj Ulama Council and Nizamat e Dawwat departments. Like other departments, these two departments are working to spread the true message of Islam to the whole Muslim Ummah. Their activities include droos-Irfan ul Quran, training, workshops and seminars.
Last but not least, another important work done by Shaykh-ul-Islam for society is the foundation of Minhaj University Lahore (MUL). MUL is a private-sector university and charted by Punjab and Higher Education Commission. This university is offering more than a hundred programs and provides education at an affordable cost.
All in all, Shaykh-ul-Islam’s work and contributions to the betterment of society are admirable. His work and efforts are changing the lives of hundreds and thousands around the globe.