IOS Condole Prof. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqui’s Death

The Institute of Objective Studies organised an on-line condolence meeting on September 21, 2020 to recall the services of the noted Islamic scholar and the ex-chairman of the Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University Prof. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqui who passed away recently. Presiding over the meeting, the General Secretary, IOS, Prof. Z M Khan expressed deep grief over his death and described the professor as one of the best chroniclers of Sirah in India. His work on the subject was widely acclaimed and rated very high. He would be known for his work for ever, Prof. Khan said. 

As a special guest, the Vice-chairman of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, remembered his close association with Prof. Siddiqui and said that his warmth earned him many friends and admirers. His monumental work on Sirah needed no introduction. Another special guest, Maulana Nazrul Hafeez Azhari Nadwi said that Prof. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqui, earned merit by his exhaustive research on the life of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). The books he wrote spoke of his erudition and deep scholarship, the maulana noted.

The Editor of the Urdu quarterly, Mutaleaat, Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadwi, observed that Prof. Siddiqui’s contribution to the study of Sira could never be overlooked. His books on Sirah would open new vistas of research in the field. 

The finance secretary, IOS, Prof. Ishtiyaque Danish recalled Prof. Siddiqui’s close association with the Institute and said that the maulana was actively involved in its activities. The IOS had the distinction of publishing several of his books, he said. 

Head, department of Islamic Studies, AMU, Prof. Obaidullah Fahad Falahi, described him as an Islamic scholar par excellence. He said that Prof. Siddiqui’s books threw light on several less-known aspects of Sirah. 

Secretary, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi, Dr. Raziul Islam Nadwi, observed that Prof. Siddiqui’s works had put him on a high pedestal of research of Islamic studies. Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, JMI, Dr. Md. Mushtaq Tijarwi, opined that he was a doyen among today’s Islamic scholars. His books were of high quality. 

The chairman of IOS, Dr. M. Manzoor Alam, described Prof. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqui’s death as a personal loss and said that his association with the noble professor went back several decades. He was also a member of the IOS general assembly and several of its projects were based on his ideas. One of the IOS projects, “Intellectual and Cultural Legacy of Islam”, was prepared under his guidance. Under the project, ‘Masaadir-i-Sirah Nabwi’, received extraordinary response in the sub-continent. The second and third volumes of the project named as ‘Masaadir-i-Hadith and Masaadir-i-Tasawwuf respectively had been completed and were ready for release. But, unfortunately, Prof. Siddiqui died before their release. He said that Prof. Siddiqui was honoured by the IOS with the fifth Shah Waliullah Award in September 2005 in recognition of his rare services. He remarked that in his death the IOS had suffered an irreparable loss. 

The webinar ended with a vote of thanks extended by the convener, Maulana Shah Ajmal Farooq Nadwi, in-charge, Urdu Unit, IOS, who also conducted the proceedings.