1st April 01 1931 – 03 November 2024
12th Dhul-Qaadah 1349 AH – 1st Jumada Al-Awwal 1446
The contemporary history of Kashmir, especially since 1931, is filled with the mention of personalities who, through their noble deeds, have earned a prominent place in the pages of history. Among these significant figures is Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah, the esteemed son of the Muhaajir-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Yousuf Shah, a prominent leader of the Mirwaiz family and a respected religious and political figure of Jammu and Kashmir.
Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah was born in 1931 in the historical Mirwaiz Manzil in Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar. As is well-known, the Mirwaiz family and the region of Kashmir are deeply intertwined, and so, the birth of Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah took place in a family where from the very beginning, religion, knowledge, wisdom and intellect were highly valued. This family’s centuries-old contributions to religious, social, political, charitable, milli and educational service have written a golden chapter in Kashmir’s history, a legacy that continues to this day.(The perfect knowledge is with Allah).
The son of a great father, Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah, after completing his life, passed away on the night of November 3, 2024, (1446 AH) in Bahria Town, Islamabad, Pakistan. He left this transient world and joined his ancestors. Upon hearing the sad news of his death, the words of a famous Arabic poet resonated in my mind:
O, you who dwell in the lofty palace,
You will soon be buried in the dust;
Each day a messenger calls to us,
‘Be ready for death and make preparations for ruin.
Translation: Daily, an angel raises this voice, a divine proclamation that those who build grand homes will soon be buried beneath the earth, and you are created merely to eventually turn your creation into destruction.
On the morning of November 03, 2024, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq informed me over the phone that Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah had passed away. Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilaihir Raaji’oon (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return – Qur’an – Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:156). Although the deceased had been of advanced age and had suffered health issues in recent days, illness is just a pretext; the truth is that everyone who comes into this world must one day leave.
Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah was my mentor, Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Farooq Shah’s brother-in-law, and the maternal uncle of the current Mirwaiz Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq. Upon hearing the news of his demise, a wave of grief swept across Kashmir, and people began flocking to Mirwaiz Manzil. During this time, Mirwaiz announced that a funeral prayer would be held in absentia for the deceased at the historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar. However, as is customary, the authorities placed Mirwaiz under house arrest and also imposed heavy security at the historical Central Jama Masjid, once again hurting the sentiments of thousands who wanted to pay their respects to their beloved leader.
The late Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah was laid to rest in Bahria Town, Islamabad, Pakistan, with his relatives and prominent figures present, who bid him farewell with heavy hearts.
At this moment, I am reminded of a beautiful and comforting saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which brings solace to us all: “Whosoever dies away from their homeland in a state of exile and migration, a plot of land in Paradise, as large as the distance from the place of their death to their place of birth, is reserved for them.”
The late Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah spent his entire life in exile after his father’s migration to Pakistan, and like many others, he and his family faced numerous hardships and challenges. However, Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Yusuf Shah, his father, with great determination and courage, represented the feelings of the Kashmiri people and steadfastly held onto his principles. His unwavering resolve remains a bright chapter in the history of Kashmir.
Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah’s education began in Srinagar at Islamia High School and later continued at the Oriental College. In addition to his studies in religious sciences, he earned distinction in the examinations of Punjab University in Pakistan. He recorded his birth details in his autobiography, ‘Rudad-e-Zindagi’, which is yet to be published:
Excerpts from the book: “My birth took place on Friday, 1st April 1931, which corresponds to 12th Dhul-Qaadah, 1349 AH in the Islamic calendar. My father’s uncle, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Moulvi Ahmadullah Sahib, passed away on 3rd April, Friday, 21st Dhul-Qaadah, 1349 AH, and I was born on the following Friday. In light of this, my name was also given as Ahmad… I was the only son and was born 18 years after my parents’ marriage. For a long time after their marriage, when they did not have children, my parents adopted my uncle, Moulvi Yahya Sahib’s son, Muhammad Yaseen, as their own when he was born, four years before I came into this world. By the time I was born, Yaseen was already four years old. We grew up together and received our early education together.”
“The year of my birth, 1931, holds great significance in our political history, as it marks the beginning of the political movement in Kashmir. My grandfather, (Mirwaiz) Moulvi Rasool Shah Sahib, initiated the reform movement for the education of Muslims in Kashmir due to their educational backwardness. At that time, the state of education among Muslims was such that if a letter came from abroad, the person had to go to a neighboring pandit to have it read. In 1899, my grandfather founded the Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, which traces its history back to the “Madressa Fiqh-ur-Rasul” (School of Islamic Jurisprudence). Just as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded Aligarh for the educational upliftment of Muslims in India, my grandfather founded the Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, and therefore, he is also referred to as the “Sir Syed of Kashmir”.”
“When my grandfather passed away, my father was just 12 or 13 years old. My father received his early education at home under the guidance and supervision of his father, Mirwaiz Rasool Shah Sahib, and his uncle, Mirwaiz Ahmadullah Sahib. After the passing away of his father, my father continued his education under the guidance of Moulvi Muhammad Hussain Sahib Wafaa’i. However, my father was not satisfied with the teaching methods of Moulvi Wafaa’i. For this reason, he decided to go to Deoband for further education. Since he thought that his family would not allow him to go to Deoband, he left without informing anyone. When he reached Rawalpindi, his family sent some people to stop him, but my father refused to return. He told them that he was not going for any wrong reason, but to acquire religious knowledge and that they should allow him to continue his journey. Those sent to stop him were convinced by his answer, and they returned to Kashmir without him, while my father continued on his path to achieve his goal.”
The demise of Moulvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah Sahib is a great loss. He was a man of noble character, a distinguished scholar, with a dignified and thoughtful personality, an accomplished religious leader, and a learned individual. He was the worthy successor of his esteemed father, and his humble nature kept him away from fame and notoriety. Despite all his other invaluable and selfless services, what earned him widespread popularity and recognition both across Kashmir and beyond was his remarkable contribution of broadcasting the renowned Tafseer (interpretation) of the holy Qur’an, Bayan-ul-Quran by his revered father, Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Yusuf Shah Sahib, on a daily basis through his own voice on “Azad Kashmir” radio. This service, without a doubt, will serve as his treasure in the hereafter, and his voice will continue to benefit people until the Day of Judgment, as listeners will always find solace in its eloquence.
May Allah grant the departed soul a place in His mercy and give patience to his heirs, loved ones, and all members of the Mirwaiz family, especially the current Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, and the deceased’s son, Moulvi Muhammad Yousuf. May they be granted strength to bear this loss and be blessed with immense patience. Aameen, Yaa Rabbal Aalameen.
The writer is the Editor at the Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, an educational institution founded by Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Rasool Shah in 1899
By M.S. Rehman Shams