Muhammad Waqaruddin Qadri (1 January 1915 – 9 September 1993) also known as Waqar-e-Millat was an Islamic scholar associated with the Sunni Barelvi movement of south Asia. His fatawa (rulings) are compiled in three volume of the book titled Waqar ul Fatawa. He taught and administered in Islamic institutes in India, Bangladesh and later in Pakistan. He was conferred title of Grand Mufti of Pakistan during Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq regime.Life of Waqar-e-Millat, Page 3
Birth and family He was born on 1 January 1915 (14 Safar 1333 AH) to a family of scholars. They were middle class-landlords of the Arain tribe in the village Khamaria of Pilibhit, District of Uttar Pradesh, India.Life of Waqar-e-Millat, Page 4 His father Hameeduddin had memorized the Quran. His mother Imtiazun Nisa was the daughter of Haji Nisar Ahmad of village Pandri, District Pilibhit.
Education and career He received his primary education and training in his ancestral village Khamaria, then in Madarsa-e-Astana-e-Sheria, Pilibhit and later in Manzar-e-Islam, at dargah Ala Hazrat, Bareilly. Thereafter, he went to Dadon, village of Aligarh to complete Daura-e-Hadith with Amjad Ali Aazmi.Anware-e-Ulema-e-Ahle Sunnat, Sindh 1008
In 1937, he was awarded degree for the completion of hadith by Hakim Amjad Ali. In 1945, he got married with Mohatarma Jameela Begum Daughter of Anwarul Haaq of village Karghaina, District Pilibhit. On appointing as Vice-President for Faculty affairs, Mufti Azame-Hind Mustafa Rida Khan gave him a certificate of appreciation.Asad, Mohammad Rehan and Jilani, Shams (2017), The Arain Diaspora in the Rohilkhand region of India: A historical perspective: General History of Arain tribe of Punjab & Sindh with socio cultural background of the diaspora in Rohilkhand, India.
Academic contribution He was appointed as teacher in Madarsa Manzar-e-Islam and later promoted as an in charge and manager for teaching at Manzar -e-Islam. He was among the panel of debaters who continuously debate with scholars of another school of thought. The debate with an Ahle Hadith scholar in village Tanda, District Bareilly is famous of his life time where he was awarded by Mufti Azame-Hind Mustafa Raza Khan.Asad, Mohammad Rehan and Jilani, Shams (2017)
He participated in the activities of All India Sunni Conference. He taught and prepared scholars here till 1954 and moved to Jamia Ahmadiyya Sunnia Kamil Madrasa in Chittagong, Bengal (now Bangladesh). Up to 1971, the residents of East Pakistan benefited by the services of Maulana Waqaruddin. Due to chaos and civil war in East Pakistan, he decided to move towards West Pakistan in 1971. After facing the difficult time, he was able to board the ship to Karachi along with his family members and close associate on 23 March 1971.Authors Introduction, 1997, Waqarul Fatawa, Vol I, Mufti Azam Pakistan, Hadhart Allama Mufti Mohammad Waqaruddin Qadri Razvi, Printed by Bazme Waqaruddin.
Life in Pakistan He joined Darul ulum Amjadiya in 1971 as the head of teaching and learning. He was also responsible for the center of jurisprudence. In this branch of Islamic studies, his contributions were acknowledged by scholars of his time.
Spiritual permissions and successor-ship He received the oath of allegiance (the Bay’at) to Hamid Raza Khan Qadri. He was awarded successor-ship (Khilafat) i.e the spiritual vice regency by Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri. One of his students was Ilyas Qadri, leader of Islamic missionary movement Dawat-e-Islami.^ Ta'ruf e Ameer e Ahle Sunnat - Shouq e 'Ilm e Deen (Urdu), al Madina tul 'Ilmiyyah.
Fatwa He ruled that it is not permissible to shave the beard.Waqar-ul-Fatawa, Vol. 1, Page 259
Books Waqar Ul Fatawa Zakat Ki Ahmiat Masail e Aetikaf
Teachers Qadri’s teachers included:Asad and Jilani, 2017 Allama Muhammad Raza Khan - brother of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Amjad Ali Aazmi- The Grand Mufti of India Hamid Raza Khan - known as Hujjatul Islam Mufti-e-Azam Hind Allama Mustafa Raza Khan Allama Hasnain Raza Khan - Nephew of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Muhaddis-e-Azam Pakistan Maulana Sardar Ahmed Abdul Haqq Habibur Rehman
Recognition He was bestowed with the title Grand Mufti of Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan nominated him as the member of Markazi Ruatay Hilal Committee during the tenure of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. He coined the definition of the term "Muslim" in Pakistani constitution.
Death He died on 19 September 1993 (20 Rabi' al-awwal 1413 AH). He was buried at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Karachi, Pakistan.
References
External links Some Fatwas of Mufti Waqar Qadri Books of Mufti-e-Azam Pakistan Mufti Waqar Qadri Faizan-e-Mufti-e-Azam His Lecture on Ahle Sunnah Ruling on Masturbation